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Meals on Wheels Service. This Service was continued throughout the year, and a
grant was given by the Borough Council to assist with the provision of meals, once a week,
to old people, and during the year 1951 the number of meals supplied was 1,766, at a cost of
9d. per meal to the recipient. Those persons unable to pay even that amount were able to
have the meal free of charge.
During the year facilities were provided for the bathing of old people or the chronic
sick in their own homes by means of a portable bath with a hot water supply and pumping
arrangements, to be conveyed in a Borough Council vehicle. This Scheme, however, was
not a success, as applications did not come forward, presumably because the idea of a Borough
baths vehicle going to the person's home was a form of publicity which was unwelcome.
At Christmas, many voluntary associations assisted in the provision of special comforts
for the aged of the Borough, not only for those in their own homes, but for those removed
to Institutions in the near neighbourhood.
I am glad to be able to report that no old person had to be removed under Section 47
of the National Assistance Act, 1948, powers since by the co-operation of the Welfare
authorities and the Old People's Welfare Committee solutions other than compulsory
removal were always found.
WELFARE—GENERAL
A considerable amount of Welfare Work is carried out by the organisations of the St.
John Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross Association.
The local headquarters of the St. John Ambulance Association are situated at Hartington
Road, Southall, and the honorary officers are Dr. C. J. P. Seccombe, 20, Western Road,
Southall, Divisional Surgeon; and Miss F. M. Gibbs, Divisional Superintendent.
The work carried out is as follows:—
Attendance of men and women of the Brigade at sports meetings, public entertainments
and organised gatherings.
Maintenance of medical comforts depot for the loan of items of medical equipment
to the sick.
Transport by ambulance to supplement the County Ambulance Services.
Attendance by members of the Nursing Division at old people's meetings and
outings.
Provision of instructors in first aid or Home Nursing for Civil Defence volunteers.
Voluntary aid in hospital wards.
The headquarters of the British Red Cross Association, Ealing Division, is Florence
Nightingale House, 85 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, W.5.
The Divisional Director is Mrs. E. V. Bruce, and the work carried out is as follows:—
Occupational Therapy when requested for the disabled ex-service pensioners and
for Chest Clinic cases.
Provision and carriage of books to T.B. home-bound patients.
Welfare visits.
Nursing Aid.
Nursing in the Home.
Escort duty to and from Hospitals for the sick, aged blind people and children.
Medical Loan, providing comforts for sick people.
Transport for the sick when requested.
Blood Transfusion.
Civil Defence Basic First Aid training.
Accommodation in Red Cross Homes for chronic sick and aged.
The local depot for the issue of comforts is situated at Green Drive, Southall.
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