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 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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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.
During the year the total number of persons on the Register
for treatment under the home chiropody scheme was 336, and the number
of treatments given was 910.
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:-
| Period | Numberof Meals | Gross Cost | Receipts from old people | Subsidy from L.C.C. | Grant from R.B.K. | Net Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| 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 | 5,054 | 2,064 | 2,056 | 500 | 434 | ||
| 1958/59 | 51,002 | 5,210 | 2,134 | 2,125 | 500 | 451 | ||
| 1959/60 | 51,532 | 5,482 | 2,138 | 2,219 | 500 | 625 | ||
| 1960/61 | 52,317 | 5,623 | 2,170 | 2,616 | 510 | 327 | ||
| 1961/62 | 56,528 | 6,021 | 2,343 | 2,827 | 500 | 351 | ||
| 1962/63 | 55,298 | 6,337 | 2,292 | 3,113 | 850 | 82 | ||
| 1963/64 | 60,672 | - figures not available - | ||||||
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. As from 1st April, 1963, the Council assumed responsibility
for the subsidies hitherto paid by the London County Council.
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 grants of approximately £4,000
were made to the Kensington Communal Services Committee for 1963/64.