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17
rather than removed to hospital was given considerable attention
during the year.
As from the 1st April, 1963, the Borough Council assumed
the full financial responsibility for the Meals-on-Wheels
Service previously partly provided by the London County Council
After discussion with the voluntary bodies who had formerly
organised the service it was agreed that the Borough Council
should provide an extra vehicle and driver, and that the
service should be increased from two meals per week to four
meals per week. Although the Borough Council assumed
responsibility for the provision of meals as well as providing
transport and drivers, the voluntary bodies undertook to provide
a helper who would actually serve the meals. The
responsibility for visiting applicants for meals also remained
with the voluntary organisations. The increased service
commenced operation on the 14th January, 1964.
Towards the end of the year investigations were made concerning
the provision of a day care service for elderly persons.
The object of such a scheme is for an elderly person to be
visited frequently by a neighbour who would perform some
services such as cleaning and shopping, but whose main job
would simply be to visit and see that "all was well". The
neighbour would receive payment for her services.
Such a scheme would supplement the existing Home Help
Service but much thought and time must be given to its
organisation, and this idea will need to be further pursued in
1964.
Attention was also drawn in 1963 to a further improvement
in the services for the care of the aged, by the provision of
an Information Bureau through which members of the public,
social service workers, general practitioners and others might
contact all municipal and social services during normal waking
hours (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) seven days a week throughout the year.
As a first step the Council agreed to the appointment of a
Social Welfare Officer and accepted the view that the early
establishment of a comprehensive Health and Welfare Centre
should be aimed at.
INVALID MEALS.
Under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1961,
Borough Councils have a right to provide a service of meals for
invalids or patients requiring special diets. The London