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17
the rhododendrons in Dulwich Park; the Visitor took him
in her car. This was his first and last outing in many
months and he was still speaking of it a few hours before
he died which was only two weeks later. There are many
other examples of the human approach to their duties which
is such a commendable aspect of the visitors' work.
The Visitors have close liaison with general practitioners,
hospitals, the L.C.C., district nursing associations,
the Camberwell Old People's Welfare Committee, and
numerous other voluntary organisations, which involve them
in various kinds of assistance to old people such as
obtaining bedding and clothing, distributing food parcels,
taking them to hospital for out-patient treatment, introducing
them to old people's clubs and so on. These activities
fulfil a very real need and are often instrumental
in preventing, or at least delaying, the ultimate necessity
for action under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, to secure their compulsory removal to hospital. It
was not necessary to take such steps in any instance during
1963.
About the middle of the year the Council decided to
increase the staff of Visitors from two to three. At this
time the Council took over the 'Meals on Wheels' service
from the Camberwell Old Peoples' Welfare Association. The
service is expanding and is working efficiently.
Meals on Wheels
Following discussions between the London County Council
and the Metropolitan Borough's Standing Joint Committee,
it was agreed that with effect from the 1st April 1963,
responsibility for exercising the powers contained in the
National Assistance Act 1948 (Amendment) Act, 1962, should
rest with the Metropolitan Borough Councils, and that the
subvention P a id by the County Council towards the cost of
meals for old people should cease as from that date.
The meals kitchen at the U.G.S. Settlement, Staffordshire
Street, was therefore taken over by the Town Clerk's
Department, whilst responsibility for the distribution of
the meals was vested in the Medical Officer of Health.
This involved taking on to the staff of the Public Health
Department, the part-time escorts and the appointment of
an officer to deal with the clerical and administrative
aspects of the service.