London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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68
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 31.
This section of the Act permits local authorities to make contributions to the
funds of any voluntary organisation whose activities include the provision of recreation
or meals for old people. A grant was again approved for the purpose of the
" Meals-on-Wheels " service operated by the Women's Voluntary Service. Demand
for the meals supplied was well maintained, and priority was given in cases where
old people were unable to leave their homes for shopping, etc., or to prepare meals
for themselves.
The number of meals supplied, etc., during the year, is given in the following table :—
| Total number of names brought to the notice of the Department | 384 |
| Number recommended to W.V.S. | 89 |
| Number of meals delivered during the year | 6,173 |
| Weekly average | 118 |
Meals were also provided on Club premises for elderly persons, and the
Council's grant was continued for this purpose.
Holidays for Elderly Persons.
By means of a scheme administered through the Old People's Welfare Council,
495 persons "were able to enjoy a holiday by the sea, or in the country, at greatly
reduced cost, where their circumstances were such that it would not have been
possible for them to take a holiday at their own expense. A substantial grant was
provided by the Borough Council for this scheme.
Cleansing of Elderly Persons.
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1953—Section 43.
As recorded in my last Annual Report, arrangements were made in accordance
with Section 43 of the above Act for domiciliary cleansing of aged persons where
Ithey (were so enfeebled as to be unable to avail themselves of facilities at the
Cleansing Station. Details of this service for the year are as follows :—
No. of baths given at home 186
No. of persons concerned 27
The work was carried out under the supervision of the Nurse-in-Charge of the
Council's Cleansing Station.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
By agreement with the St. Pancras Borough Council the use of the Council's
Mortuary was discontinued as and from 31st March, 1949, all bodies being received
at the St. Pancras Mortuary, Camley Street, N.W.I, after that date.
ISLINGTON CREMATORIUM
The Medical Referee or the Deputy Medical Referee certified a total of 374
applications for cremation at the Council's Crematorium, East Finchley.