London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Shoreditch 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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21.
In November 1955, a scheme for occupational therapy for home bound
patients commenced, and the London County Council are now paying the
salary of an Occupational Therapist to go round and teach various handicrafts
to those patients who are unable to get to the class held at the
clinic. As with the Handicraft. Class, the Care Fund pays for materials and
necessary tools. The patients enjoy these short periods of instruction at
home and have made some very useful and attractive articles.
We thank all who have assisted the Committee in any way during the year, particularly the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association and the Forces' Help Society.
| Cases assisted by Shoreditch Tuberculosis Fund: | Cases referred for extra help to: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing | 38 | National Assistance Board (in addition to applications for maintenance) | 18 |
| Fares | 84 | ||
| Loans | 9 | ||
| Rent arrears | 4 | S.S.A.F.A. | 10 |
| Removal expenses | 1 | British Red Cross | 3 |
| Money grants | 19 | Forces Help Society | 5 |
| Wireless expenses | 11 | Shaftesbury Society | 6 |
| Other help | 23 | Other Societies | 3 |
(The accounts for the year showed that, of an income of nearly £530, a
balance of £6 remained)."
V. - SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
During 1955, the Council's various welfare activities continued
unabated, and even spread their net wider than before, so that all
(particularly the old people) have never before received so much assistance
and pleasure.
The various old people's clubs continued to thrive, and their members
had even more days' outings to the seaside, women's institutes in the
country, pantomimes, etc., than ever before.
The Meals on Wheels service was shared between the W.V.S. and the Red
Cross, and used entirely Council transport for this purpose, convoying
the meals in insulated containers provided by the Council under Section 31
of the National Assistance Act. A local caterer has continued to provide
excellent two-course meals, individually for this purpose, and in bulk for
the clubs, at 1/6d per meal, (the old people paying only 10d as a result of
the L.C.C's. 8d subsidy) the total averaging 100 meals a day.