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For administrative purposes Harrow, with Acton, Wembley and
Willesden, form the central division which is served by Shenley Hospital.
The Mental Welfare Officer, Mr. W. J. Pedel, and other officers, work at
Winkworth Hall, Chevening Road, Kilburn, N.W.6. (Tel. No.: Ladbroke
2411.)
Persons in Need of Care and Attention
It is the responsibility of the Hospital Boards to provide residential
accommodation for those persons needing the special medical or nursing
care which can be provided only in hospitals or similar institutions. On
the other hand, the National Assistance Act makes it the duty of the
County Council to provide residential accommodation for persons who
by reason of age, infirmity or other circumstances are in need of care and
attention which is not otherwise available to them.
For administrative purposes, the County is divided into the same
10 areas as for the County Council functions under Part III of the
National Health Service Act. Acting under the supervision of the Chief
Welfare Officer for the County there is a Welfare Officer in each area;
the one for this district is Mr. H. G. Plummer, Kynaston Court.
The Aged
Although the numbers of the aged are increasing, it is, of course, only
a small proportion of those numbers who need any form of assistance.
These will fall into one of three groups :—
(1) Those needing medical or nursing care. These are the responsibility
of the hospital services. Many from this district pass to the
care of the Geriatric Department of the Edgware General Hospital.
(2) Those needing care and attention but not medical or nursing care.
These are the responsibility of the Welfare Department of the County
Council.
(3) The third group are those who are not ill and are not needing any
special medical or nursing care or even care and attention. But many
still have their own special needs, whether in the provision of meals,
company or companionship. The Harrow Old People's Welfare Committee
on which are representatives of the many agencies in the district
that help the aged in any way, helps to link up the work of the many
organisations which help in different ways to meet the needs of these
people.
One of the problems arising from those whose admission to hospital
or institution is desirable but cannot be arranged, is the soiling of the
bedding and the clothing of the incontinent. This problem arises more
particularly in the aged. There seem to be administrative difficulties in
arranging for something to be done to help. Although in many cases
the problem arises from the inability of the hospital service to accommodate
patients, it would seem, and quite understandably so, that the hospital
authorities cannot assist those who have not been admitted to the
hospital. The Local Health Authority would seem to have the necessary
powers under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act—"A Local