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

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Fulham 1962

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]

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26
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE IN FULHAM
(INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY MR C. F. THATCHER, LL. B., HONORARY SECRETARY.
FULHAM OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE COMMITTEE)
The Fulham Old People's Welfare Committee is a co-ordinating and advisory body set up for
the furtherance of old people's welfare in the Borough of Fulham. It is a voluntary organisation
which has as its members representatives of authorities and organisations concerned with the
welfare of the aged. It derives its income mainly from grants from the Borough Council. The
following activities in this field have been selected as being of general interest.
Grant from Borough Council
The grant from the Fulham Borough Council for the year 1962/63 was £3,500, representing
an increase of £250 over the previous year.
Meals on Wheels and Luncheon Clubs
The meals on wheels service, which is undertaken by the Women's Voluntary Service,
enables two-course hot mid-day meals to be delivered to the homes of house-bound or infirm old
people in the Borough. Each meal costs the Committee 2s. 6d., of which l0d. is paid by the
recipient, 1s. by the London County Council, and the balance of 8d. is borne by the Committee.
There is still a demand for mid-day meals at club premises and the four luncheon clubs in
the Borough, which are run by voluntary organisations, have continued their useful work throughout
the year. The charge to the old people is lOd. per meal (as for meals on wheels).
Invalid Meals Service
This service, which has been in operation for some years, enables invalids needing special
diets to have mid-day meals delivered to their homes. The meals are prepared at a kitchen in
Munster Road and are taken to the homes of patients by mobile meals vans fitted with special
containers to keep the meals hot whi 1st in transit. Some 550 meals a week are delivered in this
way. Most of the recipients are elderly people and although the cost of each meal is approximately
5s., the patient's contribution is only 1s. 4d. New patients are not accepted for the scheme unless
their applications are supported by medical evidence of need.
The London County Council are at present responsible for invalid meals but this Council has
expressed the desire to take over this service and it is hoped they will be able to do so.
Social Clubs
The 13 social clubs in the Borough, all of which are run by voluntary organisations, have
been well supported during the year. They offer companionship to those who are lonely and the
atmosphere of their weekly meetings is always convivial. They arrange their own entertainment,
annual outings and Christmas activities, towards the cost of which the Old People's Welfare
Committee, in appropriate cases, makes a grant.
Chiropody

The Committee has continued to supplement the work of the London County Council Foot Clinics by providing chiropody at the following two clinics at the times indicated:-

British Red Cross Society,Tuesday: 9. 0 a.m. to 1. 0 p.m.
52, New King's Road, Fulham, S.W.6.1. 30 p.m. to 5 30 p.m.
Friday: 2. 0 p.m. to 4. 0 p.m.
Bishop CTeighton House,Tuesday: 9. 0 a.m. to 1. 0 p.m.
378, Lillie Road, Fulham, S.W.6.1. 30 p.m. to 5. 30 p.m.