London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Willesden 1962

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]

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At Christmas nearly 1,500 Postal Orders to the value of 10/- were distributed to the over 70's
who were in need.
During 1962, "Operation Greenfield", under which housebound old people are taken into the
country for the day, was initiated. In May and September, 83 old people were taken by car to Chertsey
and Cuffley and Potters Bar where they were provided with refreshments.
The problems which are brought to the office are varied and numerous and a large lumber of
cases are referred by hospitals when an old person is about to be sent home. Much visiting and case-work
is carried out and the following figures show the growth of the work:—
1959 1960 1961 1962
Office interviews 715 1,139 1,724 1,905
Home visits 826 1,043 1,395 1,578
In addition 571 visits were paid to elderly persons who, it was revealed from the Registrar's returns,
had suffered the loss of a partner.
On the recommendation of the Welfare Organiser a number of wireless sets were supplied to the
bed-ridden by the Wireless for the Bed-ridden Society. A number of reconditioned television receivers were
also made available to housebound old people by the Committee.
The Welfare Organiser acts as a referee to various charitable organisations and distributes monetary
payments on their behalf.
All the above services except "Operation Greenfield" are financed from a grant of £13,925 which
the Council set aside for the Committee's use in 1962/63. Financial assistance from the Middlesex County
Council towards administration and visiting costs amounted to approximately £1,000.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial of eight persons during the year, at a cost of £91 12s. 0d., £48 16s. Od.
being recovered from the relatives.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
Post-mortems were performed on 556 bodies, followed by an inquest in 97 cases.
Fifty-five inquests were held on Willesden residents, but only two of these were held in the Coroner's
Court attached to the mortuary. The remainder were held at Ealing.

Inquests held on Willesden Residents

At19581959196019611962
Kilburn172416102
Ealing6138536153
Total7862697155

One of the two post-mortem tables became unserviceable and was replaced in November at a cost
of £247 10s. 0d.
LICENSING OF HAWKERS
Hawkers of food and premises used by them for storage accommodation must be registered by
the Council (section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950). Sixteen licences have been issued to
hawkers (14 selling fruit and vegetables, two selling fish). There were no new licences issued in 1962.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are now no common lodging houses in the district registered under section 237 of the Public
Health Act, 1936.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE LICENCES
There are now no slaughterhouses in the district under section 62 of the Food and Drugs Act,
1955. Slaughtering was last carried out in the borough in 1939; one licence was, however, renewed until
1955.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
The Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951 and Regulations, 1961, specify the standards
of cleanliness for the filling materials.
The premises of manufacturers of rag flock and those used for storing rag flock must be licensed.
One manufacturer of soft toys who employs outworkers only, uses premises for the storage of rag flock.