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 and Chelsea 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]
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"Carisbrooke" Lambeth.
| Mothers | Children | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number resident at 31st December, 1965 | - | - | - | |
| Admitted | 4 | 4 | 8 | |
| Discharged | 4 | 4 | 8 | |
| Number remaining at 31st December, 1966 | ||||
| Country of origin of mothers admitted:- | ||||
| United Kingdom | 2 | |||
| Canada | 1 | |||
| Spain | 1 | |||
| Total | 4 | |||
2 domiciled in London. 2 domiciled out of London.
DOMICILIARY WELFARE SERVICES FOR ALL CUSSES
OF HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY PERSONS
Sections 29 and 30 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, empower the
Council to make arrangements both directly and in conjunction with
voluntary organisations for promoting the welfare of persons who are
blind, deaf or dumb and other persons who are substantially and
permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity or
such other disabilities as may be prescribed by the Minister. In
addition, by virtue of Section 31 of the above Act, the Council have a
duty to promote the welfare of the aged. Such services as are required
may be provided directly or in conjunction with voluntary agencies.
In accordance with the requirements of the Minister of Health, the
Council maintain separate registers of (a) the blind; (b) the partially
sighted; (c) the deaf and hard of hearing; and (d) those with other
disabilities. In addition, a register is kept of those elderly persons
who apply for, or on whose behalf application is made for, assistance.
The following table shows the number of persons on the registers at 31st December, 1966:-
| Blind | 443 |
| Partially sighted | 123 |
| Physically handicapped | 739 |
| Deaf/Hard of hearing | 26 |
| Elderly persons | 2,536 |
The services for all classes of handicapped and elderly persons
are based upon home visiting by the social welfare officers, supplemented
by "community care" in day time social and rehabilitation centres which
are provided by the Council and by voluntary organisations. The social
welfare officers ensure that day-to-day needs are being adequately met
and that the home circumstances are satisfactory. In pursuance of this
policy a wide variety of services is made available to assist
handicapped and elderly persons to overcome their disabilities in order
that they can lead a full and independent life in their own homes. The
services include advice and guidance on personal problems; the