View report page

126
TRANSPORT.
The Council's complement of three vehicles, one coach with a
hydraulic tail-lift and two utilabuses, was increased by the addition of
a further coach with tail-lift in June, 1966. All these vehicles have
been used every week-day to transport handicapped persons between their
homes and social centres. Ih addition, since October, a regular weekly
coach outing, either to the shops or the country, has been arranged for
the residents of each of the residential homes. In the evenings and at
week-ends, voluntary organisations are given the use of the transport
for approved purposes, a service of which they have availed themselves
on nearly four hundred occasions. The total mileage travelled in
covering all these commitments amounted to over 40,000 miles. For
operational purposes, the Council's schedule of transport needs is
grouped with that of Westminster and Camden Councils in order to meet
each borough's commitments.
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE.
The review of the register of elderly persons was completed during
the year and, at 31st December, 1966, the number remaining was 2,536.
Many of these persons receive assistance from statutory and voluntary
sources to ensure their continued welfare.
Co-operation with voluntary organisations interested in the welfare
of elderly people is maintained by an officer specially appointed for
this purpose. In consequence, much benefit has been derived by the
elderly.
Close liaison was maintained with the Old People's Welfare
Committee, of which the Chief Welfare Officer is the Honorary Secretary.
This Committee is a voluntary organisation representative of all those
organisations both voluntary and statutory whose interests are concerned
with the services to the elderly.
Meals Service.
The arrangements for meals, either delivered to old people in their
own homes or luncheon clubs, were continued successfully by the Women's
Royal Voluntary Service in conjunction with the Kensington and Chelsea
Communal Services Committee. The total number of meals supplied was
79,5685 of these, 47,322 were delivered by the meals-on-wheels service
to elderly people in their own homes. A fleet of seven vehicles is
used by this service.
Chiropody.
In conjunction with the Old People's Welfare Committee and the
British Red Cross Society, a domiciliary chiropody service was provided
for home-bound elderly persons. Three chiropodists were employed and
they carried out 1,354 visits; 459 persons benefited from the service.
A clinic operates at the Chelsea Community Centre in co-operation with
the School of Chiropody, the Old People's Welfare Committee and the
British Red Cross Society in Chelsea. Approximately 1,000 treatments
were given and some 300 people benefited.
Laundry.
No direct authority exists for the Council to provide a laundry
service as such. Section 84 of the Public Health Act,1936, enables the
Council to cause any article in a house to be cleansed, disinfected or