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8
INFLUENZA - NURSING AND DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE IN THE HOME
Mention was made in tho Annual Report for last year of a scheme formulated
by the City Council for providing voluntary nursing and domestic assistance in
the homes of inhabitants where there was sickness due to the incidcnce of
influenza.
This schema continued in operation throughout the year, the voluntary
nursing assistance being provided by members of the British Red Cros3 Society and
the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Hon-nursing assistance being provided by members
of the Women's Voluntary Services.
Some 19 cases were dealt with under this voluntary scheme during the year,
DOMESTIC AND HOME HELP SERVICE
The City Council following the receipt of Circular 179/44 from the Ministry
of Health decided to set up a scheme for the provision of domestic help for sick
and infirm persons living in the City who were in need of and unable to obtain
such assistance. The Ministry undertaking to reimburse reasonable expenditure
incurred thereon.
Difficulties ware experienced in obtaining suitable women as helpers, and
only when the rate of pay offered was increased from l/6d. an hour to 2/- an hour
were the Council able to engage a few women sufficient to start the scheme in
March, 1945.
All sources in touch with householders needing assistance such as doctors,
district nurses, hospitals, the Assistance Board, etc., were notified of the
facilities available.
The Council's Woman Welfare Officer was placed in charge of the scheme,
and on receipt of a request for assistance, visits the household in order to asses
the degree of urgency, the nature -and extent of the assistance needed and allocate
the most suitable holder to the case.
At the on of the year nine women helpers were employed on a part-time
basis and 55 cases had received, assistance. Those comprised the aged rod infirm,
patients discharged from hospital rod unable immediately to resume their household
duties, others suffering from such disabilities as heart trouble, paralysis,
rheumatoid arthritis, blindness, disseminated sclerosis, influenza, limb injuries,
etc.
The Council under its Maternity an: Child Welfare Scheme also provides
assistance in the home during confinement or where there are young children rod
the mother is incapacitated through illness. Difficulties were experienced in
obtaining suitable women for this work-. -Two whole-time helpers resigned and could
not be replaced and the part-time assistance of domestic helpers was utilised.
Thirty eases received assistance in this way.
GOVERNMENT EVACUATION SCHEME- RETURN OF CHILDREN FROM
RESIDENTIAL NURSERIES
During the year arrangements were made for the return to their homes of
children under 5 years of ago who had been evacuated to residential nurseries in
the country under the Government's evacuation scheme.
Before the children wore returned, however, the City Council by arrangement
with the London County Council carried out investigations through its Health
Visitors to determine whether the parent or guardian could receive the child.
Of the 87 Westminster children concerned, 48 were returned to their homes.
Thirty children could not be returned for the reasons that the parents had separated
or could not afford to support the child or from lack of suitable accommodation.
Those children unable to be returned to their homes were retained in the Government
nurseries. In the remaining 9 cases the parents could not be traced.