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Introduction
The year 1967 was one of progress and the wide range of services continued to cope with
ever-growing demands from those residents of the Borough who by age, infirmity, disablement,
illness, or social misfortune, needed help.
Few members of the general public realise the range of welfare services provided by local
authorities today. It is only when they need such services that they become aware of the help
that can be afforded, though at times because of demand, such services may be in limited supply.
The services can be divided broadly into two groups - Residential and Domiciliary.
A: Residential Services
(i) Homes for the Aged (Local Authority)
The six Homes accommodate approximately 320 residents and in addition 240 beds are
available in "Kingsmead" and "Brockle Bank" run by the adjoining Boroughs of Kensington &
Chelsea, and Wandsworth respectively.
Throughout the year there has been a very heavy demand for vacancies and careful selection
on priority needs has been the rule. One hopes the day will come eventually when applicants
can be admitted within a comparatively short time of applying. Too often, at present, this has to
be delayed until a crisis arises.
This limitation of admission to the very frail and infirm, persons usually either living alone
or with hard pressed relatives, has tended to throw considerable burdens on the staffs of the
of the Homes; particularly at the three purpose-built Homes, Westway Park, Southway Close and
Stewarts Lodge, which are all, in effect, ground floor accommodation. Shortages of staff have
also occurred at the three Wimbledon Homes where the transport difficulties add to the problem
of recruitment.
It is not so much a question of obtaining numbers of staff but of getting the right persons
with the right attitude to their charges. It is work calling for kindness and respect for old age,
together with a knowledge of the way in which care and attention can best be given. More and
more part-time staff are being employed, but it is essential to have a number of full-time resident
staff, in particular the Matron and her Deputy. National consideration was recently given to the
problem of staffing Homes, consequent upon which the "Williams" Committee issued its report.
Arising from this, it seems certain that the conditions of service and salaries of Homes staff
will have to be made more attractive if this very important residential service is to be maintained
at the desired level in the future.
Tribute is paid to the Matrons, their Assistants, and to all the staffs in the Council's
Homes for the way in which they have carried out their work in the past year, often under trying
and difficult circumstances, but always trying to remember that their first duty is to the residents
and to ensure they have adequate care.
(ii) Homes for the Aged and Disabled (Voluntary Associations)
The Council maintains approximately 130 persons in Homes run by Voluntary Associations.
These range from Homes with religious, professional, or special disability backgrounds - erg.
Methodist Homes, Homes for Aged Jews, Homes for Aged Seamen, Homes for Spastics, for Arthritics,
for the Deaf and Dumb, or for the Blind. Distinct from those in the local authority homeq
who are almost all in the over-75 age group, those in voluntary homes include many young disabled
from 16 years and upwards. Long-term plans include a Home for the Young Disabled so
that it is hoped one day to provide for these young people, fortunately very few in number, a
Home within the Borough.
(iii) Temporary Accommodation
The Temporary Accommodation units have been full for the larger part of the year under
review. Indeed, the pressure shortly before Christmas and since has made it necessary to use
accommodation in premises run by other local authorities and we have been grateful for this
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