London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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The original price was 10d. a meal (including sweet).
Subsequently the London County Council decided to make a grantin-aid
of the service throughout London, and accordingly the
price of the meal to old people was reduced to 8d. in order
to qualify for a grant of 4d. a meal from the County Council.
The following statement shows the progress of the service and the financial effect since it was taken over by the Kensington Communal Services Committee:-
| Period | Number of meals | Gross Cost | Receipts from old people | Grant from LCC. | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1948 - | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 31st March,1949 | 3,535 | 352 | 149 | - | 203 |
| Year 1949/50 | 10,461 | 1,016 | 432 | 27 | 557 |
| Year 1950/51 | 13,758 | 1,250 | 577 | 115 | 558 |
| Year 1951/52 | 18,370 | Not yet available | |||
It will be observed that the number of meals served is
growing and that the net cost is substantial. The deficiencies
have been met by the Kensington Communal Services Committee. Under
Section 31 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council
have power to make grants to voluntary bodies undertaking the
supply of meals to old people, but up to the present they have
not been requested to do so.
Visiting. The Council's Women Health Officers visit old
people brougnt to their notice. A comprehensive record system
is kept of old people in the borough including personal
particulars, environmental conditions and special needs. The
local voluntary organisations supply records of old people whom
they help and every endeavour is made to keep this information
up to date.
The following is a summary of the work carried out by the Council's Women Health Officers in connection with the care of old people during the year 1951:-
| Cases on register at the beginning of year | 2,538 |
| New cases added to register | 1,128 |
| Cases removed to hospitals | 62 |
| Cases removed to homes (voluntarily) | 35 |
| Cases removed to homes (compulsorily) | 1 |
| Cases removed from district | 20 |
| Number of deaths | 160 |
| Total number of cases remaining on register | 3,388 |
| Number of old people sent away for holiday | 66 |
| Number of old people provided with Council's laundry service | 66 |
| Number of old people provided with "Meals on Wheels" | 246 |
| Cases referred to National Assistance Board | 76 |
| Cases referred for assistance from Home Help Department | 113 |
| Cases referred for assistance from Voluntary Organisations | 108 |
| Cases referred to Recreational Clubs | 140 |
| Cases assisted with provision of medical and nursing care | 62 |
| Cases where disinfestation was carried out | 36 |
| Number of initial home visits made | 1,742 |
| Number of re-visits | 1,356 |
| Number of other visits made in connection with old people, including visits to clubs | 431 |