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34
To comply with the legal requirements, the Council have
given a general authority to the Medical Officer of Health to take
whatever action appears to him to be necessary under the terms of
Section 122 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
In 73 cases action was taken under the Section. The bedding
was marked, laundered at the Council's disinfecting station and
returned to the old people. The scheme works smoothly and appears
to fill a much felt want. Prom stocks of bedding held, the Council
are able to supply linen and bedding on loan to old people while their
own is being laundered, and where possible voluntary organisations are
asked to undertake replacements of much worn articles.
During the year 1,293 separate collections of laundry were
made under this scheme, and the number of articles cleansed totalled
16,291.
Library Facilities
The Libraries Committee co-operates in providing books for
old people confined to their homes. The circulation of the books is
effected by the Women's Voluntary Services mobile library.
Chiropody
The London County Council, with the approval of the Minister
of Health, extended their functions under Section 28 of the National
Health Service Act, 1946, to include a chiropody service, giving
priority to the needs of old people, the physically handicapped and
expectant mothers. They make a grant to the Kensington Old People's
Welfare Committee for the purpose of enabling the provision of a
chiropody service for housebound old people.
The Kensington Branch of the British Red Cross Society have
accepted responsibility for the complete administration of the service
in the borough, and all the patients are referred to them through the
Public Health Department.
The total number of persons treated under the home chiropody
scheme was 315» and the number of treatments given was 720.
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 (lOd. 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:-