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"The service commenced on 9th July, 1962, and during the period
up to 31st December, 1962, a total of 2,588 meals was recorded. The
cost of the meal supplied by St. George's Hospital kitchen is 2s. 3d.
towards which the old person pays 1s. 0d. To date the balance of 1s. 3d.
has been paid by the Local Authority who also supply the vehicle fully
maintained for use. The service operates six days a week including Bank
Holidays and Christmas and during the period under review only one
day was missed (due to the December fog).
We have divided the Urban District into three areas for distributing
purposes. Those in Area 1 receive a meal on Monday and Thursday;
Area 2 on Tuesday and Friday; Area 3 on Wednesday and Saturday.
During December the average daily delivery was 20 (giving an overall
total of 60 persons each receiving two hot meals in any one week).
The daily round now involves 20/25 miles driving, taking approximately
three hours to complete (say 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.). As we cannot
expect our volunteers to work for longer than this each day nor the
old person to wait until late afternoon for the meal, it is difficult to
visualise any considerable increase in the service without using a second
vehicle. If and when this development appears necessary, we may be
able to consider the provision of three meals a week instead of the present
two."
Home Safety.
As mentioned in my Report last year, from the 1st January all
Home Safety matters were dealt with by a Sub-Committee of the Public
Health Committee. This Sub-Committee included all the members of the
original Home Safety Committee who have worked so harmoniously
during the year with the Council members.
The main function of such a Sub-Committee is to try to impress
upon the public the need for care within their own homes with the
everyday appliances, fixtures and fittings around them. This presents
obvious difficulties as they have perhaps lived—accident free—with
these appliances etc., for many years and—although agreeing that care
should be taken—it is always "other people" who need so reminding.
A more satisfying avenue for home safety propaganda is perhaps
to schoolchildren (the great success of Road Safety propaganda is witness
to this). It is most gratifying, therefore, to receive from Mr. D. H.
Wilcockson, the Divisional Education Officer stout support in our
endeavours. He has co-operated in full measure during the year. For
example, special posters on firework dangers were displayed and headteachers
gave verbal warnings to scholars just before the 5th November
and perhaps this played some part in the resulting decline in the accident
figures. In addition approximately 4,500 booklets entitled "Accidents
in the Home" have been distributed to the more senior pupils. This
booklet not only draws attention to the hazards within the home but gives
practical advice should an accident occur.
Produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, it