Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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smoothly and appears to fill a much felt want. Prom stocks of
bedding held, the Council are able to supply linen and bedding
on loan to old people while their own is being laundered, and
where possible voluntary organisations are asked to undertake
replacements of much worn articles.
During the year six hundred and forty separate collections
of laundry were made under this scheme, and the number of
articles cleansed totalled six thousand, nine hundred and thirteen.
Library Facilities
The Libraries Committee co-operate in providing books
for old people confined to their homes. The circulation of
the books is effected by the Women's Voluntary Services mobile
library.
Chiropody
During the year, the Council made a grant of £96 to the
Kensington Council of Social Service for the purpose of enabling
the provision of a chiropody service for house-bound old people.
All patients are referred by the Medical Officer of Health
to the Council of Social Service which administers the financial
aspect of the scheme. The British Red Cross Society arrange the
treatments, including providing the chiropodists and making the
appointments.
The total number of persons treated under tne home chiropody
scheme was one hundred and forty-five and the number of treatments
given was four hundred and fifty-seven.
Meals Service
The arrangements for meals either delivered to old people
in their homes or in canteens were continued with great success
by the Women's Voluntary Services in conjunction with Kensington
Communal Kitchens.
The Women's Voluntary Services undertake the work of
verifying the bona fides of applicants, arrange delivery of meals
at the homes of old people and collect the money (10d. per meal).
The Kensington Communal Services Committee supply the meals and
the vehicles for delivery.
The following statement shows the progress of the service and financial effect since it was taken over by the Kensington Communal Services Committee:-
Period | Number of meals | Gross Cost | Receipts from old people | Subsidy from L.C.C | Grant from R.B.K | Net Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 1948- | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
31st March, 1949 | 3,535 | 352 | 149 | — | — | 203 |
1949/50 | 10,461 | 1,016 | 432 | 27 | — | 557 |
1950/51 | 13,758 | 1,250 | 477 | 115 | — | 558 |
1951/52 | 18,370 | 1,634 | 625 | 445 | — | 564 |
1952/53 | 28,426 | 2,103 | 954 | 948 | — | 201 |
1953/54 | 39,196 | 3,459 | 1,317 | 1,306 | 200 | 636 |
1954/55 | 45,116 | 3,853 | 1,611 | 1,512 | 300 | 430 |
1955/56 | 45,933 | -Not yet available- |