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

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Paddington 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]

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27
The meals in Paddington are provided by the Women's Voluntary
Service whose Organiser (Mrs. E. M.Warren, J.P.) tells me that in
1961 they served 4,210 to the housebound. Patients are recommended
by their doctors and receive two meals each week, those in South
Paddington on Tuesday and Thursday and those in North Paddington
on Wednesday and Friday. The clerical work, equipment and
service are provided by the Women's Voluntary Service and the
transport by the Borough Council. The meals themselves are
prepared by the Kensington Communal Restaurant and cost the
recipients 10d. The London County Council through the agency
of the Borough Council subsidise the service to the extent of 1s. 0d.
a meal. In addition to the meals delivered at home the Women's
Voluntary Service started a luncheon club about five years ago for
pensioners who are able to attend at the Centre in Praed Street.
The meals are collected from the Kensington Communal Restaurant
by Borough Council transport and served twice weekly, on Tuesday
and Thursday. During 1961 the number of meals served was 1,504,
the number being restricted by the space available. Again the
charge is lOd. a meal.
Major Edwards of the Salvation Army informs me that before
they were obliged to leave the Cirencester Street premises, owing to
their demolition in connection with the London County Council's
Warwick Crescent Development, mid-day meals were provided for
about eighty pensioners a week. Some were delivered to invalids and
the rest were served at the Club in the Goodwill Centre. The meals
were prepared by the Salvation Army and served on four days a week.
The charge to the pensioners was 11d. a meal and a subsidy of 11d.
was received. At the moment, although a new temporary Centre
has been started, the meals service has had to be suspended. It is
anticipated however that the service will re-commence towards the
end of May.
A further service is provided by the Invalid Meals Service.
This is a specialised service for invalids which was organised for
many years in London by a voluntary association called Invalid
Meals for London. It was transferred to the London County
Council on the 1st December 1961. The service was introduced into
Paddington in September, 1959 to cater for people requiring special
meals on account of gastric or duodenal ulcers, diabetes, and other
diseases. Suitable meals are also provided for partially-sighted or
physically handicapped people, particularly those who live alone
and are unable to cater for themselves but who do not need a
special diet. Meals are supplied only on a medical recommendation.
It is only possible for a limited number of people to receive meals,
but the meals are provided on five days a week. Approximately
90 Paddington residents receive this service. The charge for the
meals is 2s. 6d., but this is reduced according to the patient's
financial circumstances to 1s. 10d. or to a minimum of 1s. 4d. for
retirement pensioners or those in receipt of National Assistance.
PIGEONS.—Although a few complaints are received each year
(six in 1960; eight in 1961) about nuisances from pigeons, Paddington
probably suffers less than many other Boroughs. The local
pigeon population has been estimated as in the thousands but the
proximity of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, as well as the