London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
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 | 477 | 115 | 558 |
| Year 1951/52 | 18,370 | 1,634 | 625 | 445 | 564 |
| Year 1952/53 | 28,426 | 2,103 | 954 | 948 | 201 |
| Year 1953/54 | 39,196 | - Not yet available - | |||
It will be observed that the number of meals served is
growing and that the net cost is substantial. Until this year
the deficiencies had 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, and a grant of
£200 was made to the Kensington Communal Services for 1953/54.
Visiting
The Council's Women Health Officers visit old people
brought 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 1953:-
| Cases on register at the beginning of year | 4,949 | |
| New cases added to register | 423 | |
| Cases removed to hospitals | 60 | |
| Cases removed to homes (voluntarily) | 26 | |
| Cases removed to homes (compulsorily) | — | |
| Cases removed from district | 35 | |
| Number of deaths | 234 | |
| Total number of cases remaining on register at end of year | 5,017 | |
| Number of old people sent away for holiday | 66 | |
| Number of old people provided with Council's laundry service | 64 | |
| Number of old people provided with "Meals on Wheels" | 339 | |
| Cases referred to National Assistance Board | 97 | |
| Cases referred for assistance from Home Help Department | 122 | |
| Cases referred for assistance from Voluntary Organisations | 41 | |
| Cases referred to Recreational Clubs | 183 | |
| Cases assisted with provision of medical and nursing care | 104 | |
| Cases referred to home chiropody service | 167 | |
| Cases cleansed at Medicinal Baths | 28 | |
| Cases where disinfestation was carried out | 41 | |
| Number of initial home visits made | 1,795 | |
| Number of re-visits | 2,387 | |
| Number of other visits made in connection with old people, including visits to clubs | 232 | |
| Number of interviews, enquiries, etc. on behalf of old people | 1,005 | |