View report page

- 36 -
Laundry
At present no direct authority exists for the Council to
provide a laundry service, as such, for old people. Section 122
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, enables the Council to
cause any article in the house to be cleansed, disinfected or
destroyed, if it is in such a filthy, dangerous or unwholesome
condition that health is affected or endangered thereby. The
cleansing of grossly fouled bedding in cases of incontinence may
be dealt with under this section.
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 80 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 1,699 separate collections of laundry
were made under this scheme, and the number of articles cleansed
totalled 17,865.
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, 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 (10d.