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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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| Name and Age (1) | Reasons for Council's Action (2) | Period Named in Order (3) | Type of accommodation to which removed (4) | Ultimate Result (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aged person, who was suf— fering from senility and malnutrition and was un— able to care for herself in any way, refused all help other than that of a friend who could no longer care for her. She even refused to permit any other person to have a key to her room. A Justice of the Peace made an Order following a visit by the Deputy Medi— cal Officer of Health. A cousin, the only known relative, agreed with this action. | ||||
| (3) Miss S. (83 years) | The niece of Miss S. was very worried about her aunt who was under— nourished, senile, unable to help herself in any way, and refused all offers of help. She was in urgent need of medical attention which she refused. She occupied one furnished room which was in a generally dirty and ver— minous condition. Follow— ing a visit from the patient's doctor, who was of the opinion that the home conditions were quite the worst he had ever seen, a visit was made by the Deputy Medical Officer of Health and, with the con— sent of the relative, an Order was obtained from a Justice of the Peace. | Not exceeding three weeks | General Hospital | Deceased 3 weeks after admission. |
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 31.
" Meals-on-Wheels "
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 which
continues to provide this most valuable help in delivering a warm mid-day meal to
homebound elderly persons. Maintenance of adequate nutrition in the elderly is as
essential as for any other persons, and the " Meals-on-Wheels " service may make
just that difference in preventing deterioration which will result in inevitable removal
to hospital.
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 538
Number recommended to W.V.S. 89
Number of meals delivered during the year 6,630
Weekly average 127