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Up to the end of the year three old persons had been recommended for, and
obtained, this service.
Home Safety
In March 1956, the North Thames Gas Board offered a free service of inspection
of the gas appliances and service pipes in houses of old age pensioners
living alone. The reason for this was in order to reduce the risk of gas
poisoning, a frequent cause of home accidents and fatalities in old people.
The offer was to include free replacement of faulty pipes and the free
repair of faulty appliances.
To take advantage of this offer lists of old people living alone were submitted
from the Public Health Department, and in due course the homes of the
persons nominated on the lists were visited by the Gas Board officers. Fresh
lists continued to be supplied from time to time.
GENERAL
The Superintendent of the local St. John's Ambulance Association and the
Divisional Director of the British Red Cross Society have kindly supplied information
concerning their welfare work in the Borough
St. John's Ambulance Brigade
(1) Attendance at sports meetings, public gatherings and
entertainments to render first aid if required.
(2) conveyance of patients by ambulance to supplement the
County Ambulance facilities.
(3) Maintenance of Comforts Depot from which supplies of
medical equipment can be issued on loan.
(4) The provision of instructors for classes in first aid
and home nursing to Civil Defence volunteers, adult
and youth groups,
(s) Voluntary aid in hospital wards male and female.
(6) Provision of nursing attendants for meetings and
outings of old persons organised by the various Old
People's Associations.
(7) Courses of lectures on first aid to factory staffs
and local factory fire brigade personnel.
British Red Cross Society
(1) The arrangement of sessions for the taking of blood
for the transfusion service, and the provision of
volunteer assistants during the periods of the blood
transfusion service operations.
(2) Ambulance transport for the sick to supplement the
County Ambulance facilities.
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