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45
HOME HELP SERVICE
87 Home Helps (5 whole-time and 82 part-time), giving a total whole-time equivalent of 56.5,
are at present assisting 557 persons, including 417 aged and 51 who are suffering from tuberculosis. A
full-time Male Home Help is employed to assist old men living alone. At the beginning of the year, there
were 76 persons employed (6 whole-time and 70 part-time).
New cases are visited by the Organiser, to assess their needs, and they are revisited at intervals by
the Organiser or Assistant Organisers, to supervise the work of the Home Helps. Midwives are asked
to report on the work of Home Helps in maternity cases.
Close co-operation exists between the Organiser, the W.V.S., the Superintendent Health Visitor,
and the Area Welfare Officer; the Organiser attends meetings of the Old Peoples' Liaison Committee and
the Tuberculosis Liaison Committee.
Recruitment is very much easier than it was some years ago, the majority of staff being obtained
through personal recommendations. 50 per cent. of the Willesden Home Helps are willing to help T.B.
cases.

DAY NURSERIES
On 5th July, 1948, the Middlesex County Council became responsible for the administration of the
96 day nurseries in the County; 10 were in Willesden, but one, College Road Day Nursery, was closed in
December, 1950. The charge was 1/- per day for the meals and equipment used, and on 1st April, 1950 this
was increased to 2/- per day, with remission in cases of hardship.
In January, 1950, a scheme of priorities was introduced as follows:—
1. Mothers who were employed in industry vital to production for essential home needs or export.
2. Illness or confinement.
3. Unsupported mothers.
Amendments were made in October, 1950; children under 2 years could not be admitted unless:—
1. Mothers were unsupported.
2. Home conditions were unsatisfactory from a health point of view.
3. Mother were incapable of undertaking the full care of their children.
Other children could be admitted if accommodation was available, and the joint income did not
exceed £6 per week.
On the 1st December, 1952, the County Council, with the approval of the Ministry of Health,
introduced a scale of charges with a maximum of 9/- per day, the estimated cost. A considerable fall in
attendances resulted, and practically everyone appealed against the assessments On the 1st November, 1953,
the County Council introduced a revised scale of charges. Most of the day nurseries are now being used
to full capacity.