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17
The City Council, under powers conferred by the National Assistance
Act, 1948, make an annual contribution to the funds of the Association.
British Red Cross Society—Mobile Meals Service.
The Westminster Division of the British Red Cross Society has
continued the service which it established in the City in 1945 for the
delivery to their homes of hot mid-day meals to aged people who are
unable themselves to prepare meals at home.
The service is operated with two vans provided by the City Council
and loaned to the Society. The Council also makes an annual grant to
the Society of 75 per cent, of the running costs of the vans.
The meals were obtained from the London County Council's Civic
Restaurants. With the closing down of the latter at the end of the
year arrangements were made by the Society to obtain the meals from
other sources. The meals are placed in individual containers and kept
in heated containers on the vans until delivered at the homes of the
old people. The meals cost Is. 6d. each, and consist of meat, two vegetables
and a sweet, or lighter diets for those requiring them. The old
people pay 10(2. for the meal and the London County Council bear the
difference of 8d.
Some 9,229 meals were delivered by this service during the year,
with the assistance of the Society's voluntary workers. This invaluable
help is very much appreciated by all concerned.
Aged Persons in Need of Care and Attention.
Under the provisions of the National Assistance Acts, a Medical
Officer of Health is empowered to apply to the Courts for an order for
the compulsory removal to a hospital or other suitable place, of persons
who are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or
physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions and unable
to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from others, proper care
and attention.
Fortunately it has not been found necessary to invoke these powers
during the year.
Aged and Infirm Persons.
Number of aged and infirm persons visited by the Council's
officers during the year 262
Total number of inspections made with regard to these 1,163
Primary 186
Re-inspections 977
Cases of aged and infirm persons brought to the notice of the
Medical Officer of Health during 1954 186
In dealing with these cases, the co-operation of the Westminster Old
People's Welfare Association, the London County Council's Home Help
Service, both of which are accommodated in the Public Health