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The total number of meals supplied was 80,994 (79,568). Of
these 48,212 (47,322) were delivered by the Meals-on-Wheels service
to elderly people in their own homes, the balance were delivered to
luncheon clubs.
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,, The three chiropodists employed
carried out 1,965 visits to 457 individual persons. 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, and 1,346 treatments were given to 347 elderly persons.
Laundry
No direct authority exists at the moment for the Council to
provide a laundry service. The Council are empowered under Section 84
of the Public Health Act, 1936, to cause any article in a house to be
cleansed, disinfected or destroyed if it is in such a condition as to
be a danger to health. Fouled bed linen in cases of incontinence may
be cleansed under this section.
To comply with 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 the section.
Action was taken in 62 (53) cases. The bedding was marked,
collected and laundered at the Council's disinfecting station and
returned to the persons' homes. The scheme undoubtedly fulfils a
much felt need. During the year 2,438 (2,330) separate collections
of laundry were made and the number of articles cleansed totalled
30,128 (30,414).
Holidays
A comprehensive holiday scheme for blind, handicapped and elderly
people. Including residents of the borough's homes was arranged; 180
bookings were made at the California Lakeside Holiday Camp in Berkshire,
and 143 bookings were made at guest houses at Ramsgate, Worthing and
Bognor. Special holidays were arranged at estalishments catering for
the severely disabled.
The staff on duty throughout the camp holiday included members
of the department from head office, residential homes, coach drivers
and attendants and members of the International Voluntary Service.
Two State Registered Nurses were engaged and valuable assistance was
given by the camp staff and the Wokingham branch of the Women's
Institute.
The total number of people for whom two weeks' holiday was arranged
was 363 (307), of whom the majority were elderly, but included some who
were blind and physically handicapped.
The gross cost to the Council for all holidays was £4,565 (£4,383).
Library Facilities
The Libraries Committee authorise the provision of suitable books,
including large print, for old people confined to their homes. The
books were distributed by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service in the
Kensington area and by the British Red Cross Society in the Chelsea area.
The number of persons benefiting from the service was 135 (148).