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127
or breaking up. Such staff are in short supply. The family caseworkers
have concentrated this year on helping families who have
been rehoused after a period of homelessness.
Mrs. Waight, our family aid, still continues to be of great
assistance to families and helps to relieve social workers in all
fields of time-consuming support. During this year families have
been referred to her by the Mental Welfare Service, the Children's
Department and the Inner London Education Authority. She
works under the supervision of a psychiatric social worker.
The employment of a Family Aid has proved to be worthwhile
and it is hoped that, when the economic situation eases, more
Family Aids can be employed.
Welfare Foods
Resulting from the closure in 1954 of the local offices of the
Ministry of Food, distribution of National Welfare Foods was
undertaken by the London County Council. This responsibility has
now passed to the new London Borough of Greenwich and under
the Ministry of Health Scheme the following foods and nutrients
are sold at regulated prices from all the Council's Welfare Centres:
National Dried Milk
Cod Liver Oil
Vitamin "A" and "D" Tablets
Concentrated Orange Juice
In addition to these, a number of proprietary foods are sold at
special prices and manufacturers co-operate in providing "welfare"
packs. This service has continued to expand and, as new products
become available and are felt to be valuable dietary additions for
young children, they have been included for sale.
Recuperative Holidays
Under Sections 22 and 28 of the National Health Service Act,
recuperative holidays are provided for mothers and young children,
for the prevention of illness and for care and after care. Similar
holidays are provided under a School Health Services scheme for
children attending school. These holidays are intended to furnish
rest, fresh air and good food but not medical or nursing attention.
There was an increase in the number of recuperative holidays
provided during 1968, mainly due to a greater number of patients
with respiratory diseases and psychiatric illness being recommended
for the Service. Such holidays are especially valuable in maintaining
the health of those suffering from these conditions.