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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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32
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, and a grant of £300 for 1955/56 was
made to the Kensington Communal Services.
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 1955:-
| Cases on register at the beginning of year | 5,100 | |
| New cases added to register | 767 | |
| Cases removed to hospitals | 200 | |
| Cases removed to homes (voluntarily) | 70 | |
| Cases removed to homes (compulsorily) | 2 | |
| Cases removed from district | 79 | |
| Number of deaths | 340 | |
| Total number of cases remaining on register at end of year | 5,176 | |
| Number of old people sent away for holiday | 61 | |
| Number of old people provided with Council's laundry service | 72 | |
| Number of old people provided with "Meals on Wheels" | 264 | |
| Cases referred to National Assistance Board | 214 | |
| Cases referred for assistance from Home Help Department | 224 | |
| Cases referred for assistance from Voluntary Organisations | 99 | |
| Cases referred to Recreational Clubs | 167 | |
| Number of visits to chronic sick cases | 560 | |
| Cases assisted with provision of medical and nursing care | 223 | |
| Cases referred to home chiropody service | 145 | |
| Cases cleansed at Medicinal Baths | 25 | |
| Cases where disinfestation was carried out | 45 | |
| Number of initial home visits made | 740 | |
| Number of re-visits | 3,320 | |
| Number of other visits made in connection with old people, including visits to clubs | 189 | |
| Number of interviews, enquiries, etc. on behalf of old people | 1,859 | |
Removal of old and infirm persons to institutions etc.
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the
Council may apply to a Court for an order to remove to a
suitable institution any person who-
(a) is suffering from grave chronic disease, or
being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated,
is living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) is unable to devote to himself, or is not
receiving from other persons, proper care
and attention.