London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Islington 1966

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]

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Special Cleansing
From time to time it was found that property occupied by elderly or infirm persons
was in such a filthy, verminous or insanitary condition as to warrant special cleansing
by the Council's Health Department, prior to the introduction of home help and other
services. Fifteen such cases were reported by the public health inspectors, home
visitors, hospital authorities, etc. during the year. Twelve special cleansings were
carried out. Three cases were subsequently not proceeded with for various reasons.
Meals on Wheels Service
At the commencement of 1966 six vans were operating within the old Metropolitan
Islington area, providing a five day service. A seventh van (driven by a social worker
of the Finsbury Old People's Welfare Committee) was providing a limited service in the
Finsbury area. On the 1st April, the Finsbury van was transferred to the direct
control of the department, and staff were employed to make full use of the van. An
additional van was provided in December, bringing the total to eight vans.

A comparison of the total meals served for the whole borough shows a considerable increase in 1966.

19651966
January - March9,97517,148
April - June9,19118,600
July - September15,19521,101
October - December16,56522,208
50,92679,057

Invalid Meals Service
During the first quarter of 1966, the Islington Invalid Meals Kitchen continued
to provide meals to Camden residents and part of Islington was still supplied by the
Hackney kitchen. The London Borough of Camden indicated they were able to provide a
service for their own borough from the end of March and Islington's arrangement with
Hackney was accordingly terminated from the same date.
Meals were served from 65 Essex Road, during the twelve months, as under:
Delivered to Islington residents 42,252
Delivered to Camden residents 5,941
Total meals delivered 48,193
Meals served in restaurant at 65 Essex Road 4, 472
Meals delivered to Islington residents by
the Hackney kitchen 6,451
Geriatric Preventive Clinics
Following agreement with the Inner London Local Medical Committee and the North
Western Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, Ministerial approval was given for the
setting up of two geriatric preventive clinics in October, 1966.
It was agreed that the clinics should be named for publicity purposes 'Advisory
Health Clinics for Older People'. The first clinic was held on Tuesday mornings at
the Pine Street Welfare Centre, Pine Street, E.C.1 and conducted by a Principal
Medical Officer of the Department.
The second clinic was held on Thursday mornings at the East Islington Welfare
Centre, 32 Drayton Park, N. 5, and Dr. D. E. Sharland, the Consultant Geriatrician of
the Whittington Hospital kindly volunteered his services for this clinic.
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