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269
Medical Assessments—Housing
Under the Council's Rehousing Scheme, if an applicant's case
is supported on medical or sociological grounds, a certain degree
of priority is afforded.
During the current year, some 1,312 cases for re-housing or
transfer were reviewed and medically assessed. A high proportion
of these applications were subject to up-to-date reports from the
Public Health Inspectors and Social Workers in order that the
degree of priority should be fairly allocated. Twenty-two cases
were of such medical significance as to warrant special consideration
by the Housing Sub-Committee.
In one instance it was necessary for a Medical Officer to make
a domiciliary visit to enable the appropriate assessment to be made.
DEPARTMENTAL TRANSPORT
The entire tone of the Directorate's transport for the year 1969
was set by the economic difficulties besetting the country as a
whole and although new vehicles had been included in the Capital
estimates, their purchase was not proceeded with. With the
merger of the Children's Department into the Directorate, however,
the total number of vehicles was increased by two, bringing the total
vehicle strength up to 54. Nevertheless, during the year it proved
possible, by changes of vehicle allocation, to fulfil all extra
transport commitments including a 10% increase in the delivery
and collection of Medical Loan Equipment. Transport had to be
provided to convey approximately 100 physically handicapped
people to Little Oyster Holiday Camp, Sheppey, Kent, for two
fortnightly periods, and a Christmas shopping expedition in Woolwich
was organised for another 80. If the increase of commitments
that occurred in 1969 is reflected in 1970 then extra vehicles will
have to be provided to enable services to be met.
Meals on Wheels
As stated above, it was decided not to proceed with the purchase
of two extra vehicles to augment the Meals on Wheels service.
The number of rounds remained at 17 as in the previous year.
Miles covered by the Directorate's vehicle fleet during the year
reached a total of 583,456.