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WELFARE OF THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED.
The number of applications for registration as blind or partiallysighted
under the provisions of the National Assistance Act, 1948, has
shown an increase over those for 1967 as also has the number of
registrations as blind resulting from examinations, but the proportion of
such registrations remains about the same. The Council continued to employ
two consultant ophthalmologists for medical examination and assessment.
Details of examinations and findings are as follows:-
1968
1967
Number of examinations by Council's
ophthalmologist
135
123
Number of hospital certificates accepted
35
22
Number of new cases registered blind
51
47
Number of new cases registered
partially sighted
30
38
Re-examinations -
Number previously registered blind
and now found to be partially sighted
1
2
Number previously registered partially
sighted and now found to be blind
14
5
Number previously registered blind or
partially sighted and now found to
be not registerable
1
Nil
Number examined and no change found in
category
71
52
PARKING CONTROL.
All applications for free parking facilities on grounds of physical
disability are referred to the Medical Officer of Health for consideration
and advice. Where necessary, applicants are requested to attend for a
medical examination.
During the year, 124 applications were received, 80 were granted and
44 were refused.
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply in Kensington and Chelsea is almost entirely provided
by the Metropolitan Water Board, but there are four premises which obtain
water, used for domestic purposes, from artesian wells. Samples of water
were taken both by the Council and the owners for bacteriological and
chemical examination, and the results were in all cases satisfactory.