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Though the resident population within the City is small the Corporation has taken very
seriously its responsibilities as a Housing Authority, and there is now so much work in connection
with its new housing projects and the modernisation of its existing housing estates outside the
City boundaries, that in my opinion it is desirable that the responsibilities, which the Public
Health Committee has hitherto carried in this respect, should be transferred to a Housing
Committee which can devote its whole attention to the many and difficult problems, not only of
policy but of day-to-day administration. The Medical Officer of Health should, of course, attend
such a Committee and should at all times be available for consultation, but in relation to the
Corporation's housing estates outside the City he must not usurp the responsibility of the medical
officers of health of the districts in which such estates are situated. The medical officers of health
of the Metropolitan Boroughs and of the City are accustomed to the discussion of problems of
mutual interest, not only in the Borough Medical Officers Committee of the Metropolitan Branch
of the Society of Medical Officers of Health, but through friendly personal communication at any
time, and no difficulty has arisen in the past nor should arise in the future.
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE.
The City of London Old Peoples' Welfare Association under the Presidency of the Lord
Mayor and the Chairmanship of Sir Frederick Rowland is continuing to provide a service for the
over 60's who are the responsibility of the Corporation even though they live beyond the square
mile. The number on the register now totals, 1,312 not all of whom require assistance, but an
amazing number seek help of one kind or another. The requests for Daily Home Help Service,
Relief Night Help and for the provision of commodes, bed rests and wheel chairs have increased
as more and more of the old people living alone survive to 80 years of age and over.
Entertainments, outings, convalescent holidays all continue to be provided and enjoyed.
The provision of wireless sets causes difficulty sometimes but at the crucial moment a set seems
to appear !
The over 60's at the Three Score Club are very happy and active. They are anxious to help
others and it is indeed a sight to see these folk out on a Flag Day for some charitable cause, each
one out to beat a record in order to prove his or her appreciation of the services provided for them
by the City of London Old Peoples' Welfare Association.
Isleden House. This model accommodation for old people, built by the City of London
Parochial Foundation and now owned and administered by the Corporation, provides ideal conditions
for those who have lived all their lives in London and who would probably find a rural setting
uncongenial because unfamiliar. The scheme under which vacant beds in the Sick Bay have been
made available to suitable cases from St. Bartholomew's Hospital has continued to work smoothly
to the mutual advantage of the Hospital and of Isleden House. The patients are very happy
there and the old people benefit from the constantly changing contacts with younger people from
the outside world.
The Public Health Committee have now taken over responsibility for the City of London
Freemens' Houses which are Almshouses, and consideration is being given to their modernisation,
both structurally and in the provision of amenities for the old people housed therein.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948 AND (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1951
Removal of Persons in need of care and attention
It was found necessary to apply for a Magistrate's Order, under the above Acts, for the
removal of a City resident, aged 67, residing at Princes Flats, Stoney Lane, E.l, to Luxborough
Lodge, Marylebone.
She had had a stroke in 1943 which left her partially paralysed. She was suffering from
Parkinson's Disease (Paralysis Agitans), and had been a source of some anxiety to me since 1947,
when she was living alone under very unsatisfactory conditions in Widegate Street. She was
re-housed in Artizan's Dwellings in 1951, where at first we were able to give her such help as
she then needed, but her physical condition deteriorated and she was constantly falling and
unable to rise unaided.
In addition it was impossible to keep her room clean, and offensive conditions developed there
and in the toilet, used in common with other tenants.
Every day a meal was sent in to her but nevertheless she appeared feeble and undernourished.
I repeatedly tried to persuade her to enter voluntarily, a home where she would be constantly
looked after, but she always refused. She fell so frequently that I was afraid that she might
suffer serious or even fatal injury.
An Order was made by Judge Block of the Mayor's and City of London Court, on 26th July,
and arrangements were made with the L.C.C. for her removal to Luxborough Lodge, Marylebone,
but on the arrival of the ambulance she was found to be comatose having accidently taken an
over-dose of some sedative tablets which she had obtained on her doctor's prescription. She was
accordingly removed to the London Hospital where she remained for about a month, and was then
removed to St. Anne's Hostel, Tottenham, which is administered by the Little Sisters of the Poor.
RODENT CONTROL
Under the direction of your Chief Rodent Officer, Mr. Carter, the rat population of the City,
both in sewers and in premises in the City, has been reduced to a minimum since the War.
Mr. Carter's annual report suggests that this reduction in the number of rats has left the field
clear for mice which have consequently increased in number.