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Both the British Red Cross Society and Women's Voluntary Services cook their
meals centrally in their respective kitchens. The cooked meals are then transferred
to charcoal heated containers which are delivered by van.
It will be appreciated that in a large Borough like Ealing, where the distances
involved are great, considerable effort is required to ensure that meals are hot on
delivery. Notwithstanding this difficulty, hot meals of a high standard are provided.
In addition to the domiciliary service provided, the British Red Cross Society and
the Women's Voluntary Services have co-operated to provide 20 meals a day for the
Day Treatment Centre.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948
Section 47
This section provides for the removal to a suitable hospital or other place of
persons who:—
(a) are suffering from grave chronic diseases or, being aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated are living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from other
persons, proper care and attention.
I am glad to report that it has not proved necessary to use these powers during
the year. Old people are no different from other age groups in their love of
independence, indeed, it is probably a larger component in their outlook than in
younger people. There are many old people in the Borough who would, I am sure,
be more comfortable in an Old Persons Home, but would only be happier there if
they themselves could be convinced of the wisdom of entering a home.
DAY CLUB FOR OLD PEOPLE
It will be recalled that in 1961 the Borough Council expressed their interest in
the proposed Women's Voluntary Services Day Club for Old People and that they
had offered a site off the Greenford Road for the establishment of this club. This
site, it is hoped, would, in addition to the Club, house the central kitchen for the
Women's Voluntary Services Meals on Wheels Service.
During the year certain difficulties have arisen in carrying out this plan, but it is
to be hoped that these will eventually be overcome and that this very useful addition
to services for old people in the Borough will materialise.
HOLIDAYS FOR OLD PEOPLE
The Women's Voluntary Service and the Greenford Philanthropic Society, with
the aid of grants from the Borough Council, again arranged for elderly people,
who would not otherwise have the opportunity to have a holiday by the sea. I have
no doubt in my own mind that a holiday of this sort is a simple measure which has
kept many an old person out of hospital.
In 1962 the Women's Voluntary Services took 240 to Bexhill-on-Sea and the
Greenford Philanthropic Society took 45 to Ramsgate, including 12 disabled and
blind people. As in previous years, great appreciation was expressed by those who
attended.
OLD PEOPLE'S LIAISON COMMITTEE
This Committee is a joint one between the Council and those voluntary organisations
which are running services for old people on the Council's behalf under
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