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14
cluding all Bank Holidays, without a single lost day. The total number
of meals delivered was 7,205. The St. George's Hospital kitchen has
continued to supply the meals at a cost of 2/3d. each, and the quality
of the meal has been consistently at a high level. The recipients have
been well pleased with the meal and the price they are asked to pay (1/-).
At the 31st December, 1963, there were 32 drivers and 40 assistants
in the Service which owes much to them and. particularly, to Mr. L. J.
Taylor who devotes a great many hours towards organising the work.
As reported last year, the Urban District has been divided into
three delivery areas so that each area has two deliveries per week. The
daily average of meals delivered during the year was 23. The Organiser
states that, working with one van. 28/30 meals could be delivered each
day in just over three hours and there does not appear to be a need for
a second van if each recipient is to be limited to the present two meals
per week. However, if we delivered three meals weekly, a second van
would be in use for 50 per cent of the service time — for four meals
weekly, 75 per cent of the time. Mr. Taylor is confident that the extra
drivers and assistants could be found to operate the second vehicle.
I cannot help thinking that the elderly person who has need of this
service must be in need of more than two hot meals during a week.
Unfortunately, there is no recognised standard throughout the country.
Many districts are still without a Meals on Wheels service, but where a
service does exist it generally caters for more than two meals a week. In
Romford, the W.V.S. delivers to two areas, each with two deliveries a
week. However. Walthamstow deliver five meals weekly. Barking, Dagenham
and Ilford deliver four weekly, and Chigwell, Chingford. Leyton.
Wanstead and West Ham three meals per week.
Plans are now being laid for the administration of the future
Borough of Havering, and I feel that the old people of the Borough who
benefit from the service should receive, at least, three or four meals
each week. For this we would depend on the Local Authority giving
approval to doubled expenditure, and I am certain that your views
on the subject would be welcomed by all concerned. The Hospital is unable
to provide the extra meals that an increased service would demand,
but we anticipate that the kitchen to be included in the Old People's
Centre would be able to cater for the extra deliveries. It is hoped that
the Centre will be completed early in 1965.
The Association is very appreciative of the assistance given by the
Council to date, both financially and physically. When it was found that
the expenses were exceeding the grant, the Council promptlv increased
the grant. At the same time, the van has always been ready for our use
apart from the short period when an alternative vehicle was provided
with a driver whilst the regular van was under repair.
I know that you share our opinion that the delivery of Meals to
certain old people in their homes is of vital importance, and, whilst there
exists a spirit of co-operation amongst all concerned, the service will
continue to operate with the maximum degree of efficiency."