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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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The total number of persons treated under the home chiropody
scheme was one hundred and sixty-eight and the number of treatments given
was four hundred and eighty.
Meals Service
The arrangements for meals either delivered to old people in
their homes or in canteens were continued with great success by the
Women's Voluntary Services in conjunction with the Kensington Communal Services
Committee.
The Women's Voluntary Services undertake the work of verifying
the bona fides of applicants, arrange delivery of meals at the homes of
old people and collect the money (l0d. per meal). The Kensington Communal
Services Committee supply the meals and the vehicles for delivery.
The following statement shows the progress of the service and financial effect since the inception of the scheme.
| Period | Number of meals | Gross Cost | Receipts from old people | Subsidy from L.C.C. | Grant from R.B.K. | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October, 1948/ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| March, 1949 | 3,535 | 352 | 149 | 0 | _ | 203 |
| 1949/50 | 10,461 | 1,016 | 432 | 27 | - | 557 |
| 1950/51 | 13,758 | 1,250 | 477 | 115 | - | 558 |
| 1951/52 | 18,370 | 1,634 | 625 | 445 | - | 564 |
| 1952/53 | 28,426 | 2,103 | 954 | 948 | — | 201 |
| 1953/54 | 39,196 | 3,459 | 1,317 | 1,306 | 200 | 636 |
| 1954/55 | 45,116 | 3,853 | 1,611 | 1,512 | 300 | 430 |
| 1955/56 | 45,933 | 4,204 | 1,926 | 1,531 | 300 | 447 |
| 1956/57 | 45,995 | 4,211 | 1,933 | 1,758 | 500 | 20 |
| 1957/58 | 49,334 | Not yet available | - | |||
It will be observed that the number of meals served continues
to increase and for the year 1957/58 has reached a record total of 49,334.
The net deficiencies of the scheme (after crediting subsidies
from the London County Council and grants from the Kensington Council) have
been met to date by the Kensington Communal Services Committee. The
reduction in the net deficiency for 1956/57, as compared with previous
years, is accounted for by an increase of £200 in the grant by the
Kensington Council and by an increase of 2d. per meal (8d. to l0d.) in
the subsidy paid by the County Council as from September, 1956.
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 £500 was made to the
Kensington Communal Services Committee for 1957/58.
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 1957:-