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WELFARE SERVICES
On the 1st April, 1969, the London Borough of Hammersmith celebrated
its fourth birthday and in this comparatively short period the welfare
services have grown from a modest beginning, based on those passed over
by the former London County Council, to a wide range of services which are
still expanding and endeavouring to cope with an ever-growing demand from
those residents of the Borough who, by age and infirmity, disablement, illness
or social misfortune need help.
Residential Services
(i) Homes for the Aged (Local Authority)
The eight Homes accommodate approximately 400 residents and in addition
approximately 100 beds are available in "King's Mead" 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 willeventually come when applicants can be admitted within a comparatively
short time of applying. Too often this has had to be delayed until
a crisis arose.
The limitation of admission to the very frail and infirm persons
either living alone or with a hard-pressed relative, has tended to throw
a considerable burden on the staffs of the Homes, particularly at the four
purpose-built Homes, Westway Park, Southway Close, Stewarts Lodge and Oak
Tree House, which are all, in effect, ground floor accommodation. Shortages
of staff have also occurred at the four Wimbledon Homes where the transport
difficulties add to the problem of recruitment.
National consideration was given to the problem of staffing. Homes consequent
upon the issue of the "Williams 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.
A tribute must be paid to the Matrons, their Assistants and all the
staffs in the Homes for the way in which they have carried out their work,
often under trying and difficult circumstances, but always endeavouring to
remember that their first duty is to the residents and ensure they have
adequate care.
(ii) Homes for the Aged and Disabled (Voluntary Associations).
The Council maintains approximately 140 persons in Homes run by voluntary
associations. These range from Homes with a religious, professional,
or special disability background - e.g. Methodist Homes, Homes for Aged
Jews, Homes for Aged Seamen, Homes for Spastics, Arthritics, for the Deaf
and Dumb or the Blind. Distinct from those in the Local Authority Homes
who are almost all in the over-75 age group, those in voluntary homes include
a number of young disabled from 16 years and upwards.
Talks are taking place with adjoining Boroughs regarding the provision
of a Home for the Young Disabled, fortunately very few in number, but who
at present often have to go to Homes run by voluntary bodies and a long
way from family and friends.
G.l