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Station to deal in appropriate cases with the bed linen, etc. of old people, and during 1950 twenty-two
aged persons were assisted in this way. The service has functioned satisfactorily, it meets a definite
need, and is greatly appreciated by all who are concerned with the care of incontinent old people
who have to be nursed at home. Some cases require to be dealt with for short periods only, while
others need the service for a considerable time. There has not been a break without a case since
the scheme started, and the largest number in hand at any one time has been seven.
St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association.—This voluntary body, established in May, 1947,
and supported by representatives of various organisations, religious bodies and statutory authorities,
continued its beneficent work. The pooling of knowledge and experience at the monthly meetings
of the Executive Committee has led to further developments in its existing activities and to the
launching of new services.
The Association is affiliated to the London Council of Social Service, and representatives attend
the quarterly meetings of its Standing Conference of Old People's Welfare Committees in the Greater
London area. The Association was also represented at a special conference at County Hall convened
by the Chairman of the Welfare Committee, London County Council, to consider the setting up,
under the aegis of the County Council, of a Central Consultative Committee for Old People's Welfare
in the London area. The National Conference on Old People's Welfare, held at Brighton in October,
was attended by the Hon. Secretary and Miss Margaret Sharp (Sanitary Inspector) whose account
of the special laundry service for the aged sick, initiated by the St. Marylebone Borough Council
in 1949, aroused great interest.
The Association's work in 1950 fell, as before, into three main categories: (1) clubs and parties;
(2) "meals on wheels," and (3) visiting.
All six "Darby and Joan" clubs continued their weekly meetings and had successful summer
outings and Christmas parties. As its own social function the Association held a party for the home
helps serving in St. Marylebone. This was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress and by the Council's
representatives on the London County Council, and afforded an opportunity of voicing appreciation
of the valuable work carried out by the home helps for old people in the Borough.
The "meals on wheels" service continued to be operated by the Women's Voluntary Services
on five days a week, an average of 30 dinners being served each day. Meals are obtained from the
London County Council Restaurant in Bryanston Square, and although invalid diets cannot be
provided there is a choice of dishes as far as resources allow. The charge to the old people is still
8d., as the Welfare Committee of the County Council pay to their Restaurants Committee the difference
between this charge and the actual cost price. The Borough Council renewed their grant in respect
of the running costs of the van provided for the transport of the meals, and the Association expressed
thanks to the Public Health Department for lending a van while their vehicle was off the road on
several occasions.
Two lunch clubs continue to flourish, the Cookshop of the St. Marylebone Housing Association
and the W.V.S. Luncheon Club providing their popular 8d. meals.
The number of visitors was 24, with an additional 15 attached to a local church and reporting to
the Association through their liaison officer. The visitors' meeting, held monthly, proved a valuable
link between the visitors, the Hon. Secretary, and Miss Sharp of the Public Health Department,
to whose knowledge and ever-ready help the Association is deeply indebted.
Of the many services available to old people through the Association, mention may be made of
an arrangement made with a local dental surgeon whereby those who cannot attend a surgery may
have treatment in their own homes.
Five members of the Association's Executive Committee, including the Chairman and Hon.
Secretary, were appointed to the Committee of the specially formed Housing Society which is engaged
in establishing in St. John's Wood a "care and attention" home for St. Marylebone's old people.
New services for the aged, concerned with (a) emergency fuel supplies and (b) chiropody, were
planned late in 1950 but did not come into operation until 1951. An account of them will be given
in next year's report.
SECTION C.—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Sanitary Inspection.—Complaints were received in respect of 1,521 premises. Details of the various
nuisances detected and remedied, to the total number of 4,714, are set out in Table 3. In 1,327 cases
a preliminary (intimation) notice was issued, and in 227 instances this was followed by the service
of a statutory notice to secure abatement of nuisances. In addition, 99 notices were served under
London County Council Bye-laws made under the Housing, Metropolis Management or Public Health
Acts.