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During the half year some 72 persons were assisted under the scheme.
In 31 cases they were aged persons unable to attend to their household
duties on account of such infirmity as paralysis, rheumatism, arthritis,
&c. These received regular assistance each week. The remaining 41
cases were not aged persons, but suffered from such disabilities as blindness,
heart trouble, tuberculosis, limb injuries and temporary illnesses.
In addition to the above, assistance was also given in the home under
the Council's Maternity and Child Welfare scheme during the confinement
of the mother or where the mother was otherwise incapacitated and where
there were young children in the home. Some 76 households were assisted
in this way during the half year.
Mobile Meal Service.
The Westminster Division of the British Red Cross Society were
able in December, 1946, to start a meals delivery service for aged people
and others who are unable to provide themselves with cooked hot meals.
The meals are purchased by the British Red Cross Society from a
Londoners' Meal Service Centre at a special price of 8d. per meal for aged
people and 1s. 2d. for others, and delivered in a mobile van to the homes.
The cost of the meal is recovered by the British Red Cross Society from the
recipients.
The names and addresses of those requiring the delivery of hot meals
are submitted to the Society by the Medical Officer of Health weekly.
Some 210 hot meals per week were being delivered by the Society
under this arrangement at the end of the year, by which time the Society
was using two vans.
Medical Inspection of Aliens.
At the request of the Minister of Health, the City Council in 1947
made arrangements to resume the medical inspection of aliens arriving at
Victoria Station by through sleeping car service from Paris, which
arrangement had ceased on the outbreak of war. The actual inspection
is carried out by medical staff from Westminster Hospital under the
supervision of the Medical Officer of Health, and includes daily attendance
at Victoria Station by medical inspectors to inspect aliens arriving by this
ferry train and carry out medical examination where necessary. The
Government reimburse the Council the cost of this service. During 1948
359 inspections of aliens were made, 46 being referred by the Immigration
Officers for medical examination.
International Certificates of Vaccination and Innoculation.
Arrangements continued during the year for the authentification by
the Medical Officer of Health of International Certificates of Vaccination
and Innoculation completed by medical practitioners in Westminster.
These certificates are required by passengers proceeding abroad from this
country and the purpose of the authentification is to provide proof to those
health authorities abroad who desire it that the signature of the person
issuing the certificate is that of a registered medical practitioner. Some
1,880 certificates were authenticated during the year.