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Factories Act. Chief Officers nominated suitably qualified persons to be in charge of first aid. Notices
with the names and addresses of the nearest medical practitioners and hospital were placed in a prominent
position so that in an emergency cases could be referred without delay.
Chief officers referred to the medical officer of health employees who have been regularly absent
from work on account of sickness. Employees suffering from disability or chronic illness may apply direct
to the medical officer of' health; three were referred by chief officers, and one applied for a consultation.
CARE OF THE AGED
As the proportion of old people in the population increases, we must extend our medical and
welfare services to care adequately for them.
Most of them can manage to look after themselves; some, however, require help to keep them comfortable
and happy in their own homes, and a small minority cannot be adequately cared for except in a
hospital or institution. The local health authority provides home nurses and home helps and health visitors,
who investigate the needs of old people and arrange for the necessary services to be given.
Consultation often takes place between the medical practitioner, the geriatric physician, the welfare
officer and the medical officer of health before an aged person requires to be admitted to a hospital or an
institution. It is now easier to obtain admission for an aged patient, and the geriatric physician and his
almoner work in close co-operation with the local health and district authorities. There is still, however, a
great need for more hospital accommodation. Very exceptionally, compulsory powers are used when the
old person, against his own interests, refuses to go into a hospital or hostel.
The provisions of the National Assistance Act, 1948, and the National Assistance (Amendment)
Act, 1951, were outlined in the annual report for 1953. No action was necessary under the Acts during 1954.
Laundry for the Aged
The care of incontinent old people places a heavy burden on their relatives. The washing of soiled
linen in cramped accommodation, with poor facilities for drying, is often the last straw, and the relatives
then apply for the old person's admission to an institution. One way of postponing this unpopular event is
to do their laundering. It is much more economical and humane to provide reasonable facilities for old people
in their homes than to transfer them to institutions.
In April, 1952, the Council organised a laundry service for incontinent old people free of charge,
under Section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936. The articles are laundered and ironed at a cost of 4¼d.
per lb. at the Neasden Hospital by arrangement with the Central Middlesex Hospital Management Committee,
and transport is provided by the Borough Council.

Voluntary Services for the Aged
The care of the aged is an excellent example of how work of voluntary organisation supplements
that of local authorities. The main extension of this work during the year was carried out by voluntary
effort, and no praise can be too high for the voluntary helpers who spent time and energy on it.
The 49' Club organised by the Willesden Old Folks' Association, celebrated its second anniversary
on the 28th February, 1954. The Club is open daily from 1.30 p.m. to 10.0 p.m. The membership is now
475, and applications continue to be received. 165 members and helpers went on a summer outing to Clacton
on the 6th September, 1954.
Voluntary workers made regular visits at weekly or fortnightly intervals to 36 old people. This
service is greatly appreciated by lonely people, but many more visitors are required. The visitors delivered
a gift of 5/- or Christmas fare from the Association to them at Christmas.
Four well-attended Christmas parties were held at the Anson Hall, Cricklewood, and were
thoroughly enjoyed. More than 1,000 invitations were sent out, and 860 old people attended the parties. A
high tea and entertainment were provided and they were given a gift of 2/- each.
There was a great extension in the free chiropody service. The Association arranged for 25 old
people per week (compared with 8 in 1953) to be treated by the two chiropodists in the Kilburn and
Harlesden areas free of charge. There were 250 on the Register for treatment, some of whom had regular
monthly treatment. The chiropodist in Kilburn also visited old people confined to their homes. 50 old
people were on Register for periodic treatment compared with 4 in 1953.
On the recommendation of the Welfare Officer, free coal was supplied to old people who could
not afford it.
The Willesden Division of the British Red Cross Society, the Women's Voluntary Services, religious
and other organisations in the area run clubs for the old folk, and their members visit them in their
homes.
The meals service organised by the Women's Voluntary Services is probably the most important
service for old people. The Old Folks' Morning and Luncheon Club, which opened at the Presbyterian
Hall, Granville Road, Kilburn, on the 31st January, 1952, provides old people with hot meals. The cost
of a lunch was kept at 1/-, with tea at l½d. per cup and coffee 2½d. per cup. 13,019 meals were served during