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Sampling.—During the year 600 (600) samples were submitted to the Public Analyst. All were found to be genuine
except four informal samples. Three of these samples were of bread and butter from cafes in the Borough in which
the "butter" was a mixture of butter and margarine. The proportion of margarine in the three samples was 60 per
cent, 30 per cent. and 40 per cent. respectively. Warnings were given in each case to the people concerned. The fourth
sample was of sausages, which contained a slight amount of sulphite preservative above the permitted amount. The
action to be taken in this case will depend on the results of the analysis of a formal sample which will be taken when
the sausages are again on sale here.
Inspections.—During the year the two Food Inspectors paid 802 (636) visits to restaurants and cafes and 6,004
(5,312) visits to other food shops.
AGED AND INFIRM PERSONS
General.—There are 129 (134) current cases on the records of the Department of which 72 (63) were brought to
notice during 1954. All new cases are visited and if there is any assistance which can be usefully given by statutory
or voluntary bodies such as the County Council Home Help Service, District Nurses or National Assistance Board
this is arranged.
Regular visits are paid to all cases on the current list to keep in touch with any change in the circumstances.
Relatives are informed if it is thought that they can help. The women visitors made 1,622 (555) visits during the year
and the male inspectors 48 (20).
National Assistance Acts.—\t was not found necessary to apply to the Courts for a compulsory removal order in
any case referred to the Department.
Holiday Home.—During the year 979 (893) applications for a holiday were received and 642 (583) guests were
accommodated. Two hundred and forty-six applicants refused the holiday offered (mainly on account of illness or
because the dates allocated were too early or too late). In the remaining 91 cases no allocations were made due to death,
removal from the Borough, unfitness, or to single rooms or specified dates not being available.
Home bathing.-—The bathing at home of the bed-ridden which was commenced towards the end of 1953 continued
during the year. This work is done by the female attendant from the Medicinal Baths and 406 baths were given.
Laundry service.—In June the Council adopted a scheme for laundering the bed linen of incontinent elderly persons
and the service commenced in September. The number of cases being dealt with at the end of the year was eight. Each
case is certified under section 122 of the Public Health (London) Act 1936 and the number of certificates issued during
the year was eleven.
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE COMMITTEE.
The following notes have been extracted from the Annual Report of the Committee which covers the year ending
31st March, 1955.
Housing Association:—A Paddington Old People's Housing Association was formed in April. The initial costs
were met from the Committee's funds and a grant of £500 made.
Visiting:—The visiting of the housebound by voluntary visitors has continued.
Chiropody:—The service continues to be in great demand, 779 treatments were given at the clinic and 82 housebound
people were visited.
Harvest Gift Celebrations:—The proceeds from three schools were offered to the Committee and about 100
old folk attended the services. Each received a gift of fruit and groceries and a further eighty parcels were
delivered to the bed-ridden and hospital patients.
Alexandra Rose Day:—A depot was again organised and £30 was received form the Alexandra Rose Day Funds.
Flag Day:—The flag day activities raised £165 for the funds of the Welfare Committee.
Holidays:—The Amersham Townswomen's Guild arranged a day's outing for 30 old people; recuperative and
private holidays were arranged for 25 people.
Homes:—Twenty five old people were helped to enter private or London County Council Homes.
Christmas Parties:—One party went to an Ice Show. Two hundred and fifty old people accepted the invitation
to the Rotarians' Christmas Party which was again a great success. The car service provided by the Rotarians
enabled many crippled folk to attend.
Christmas dinners:—On Christmas Eve 144 "frozen" dinners (towards which the Paddington Rotary Club made
a generous donation) were delivered by Paddington Girl Guides.