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Removed to hospital 4
Removed to hospital (under National Assistance Act powers)
Removed to mental institution -
Removed to old people's home 3
Died at home 4
Remaining at home 3
(a) Home Help provided and awaiting vacancy in old
people's home 2
(b) Special problem—provision of transport of chronic
sick and aged person to visit husband in hospital 1
The difficulties of the old persons recorded on this list were brought to the notice of
the Public Health Department staff either by interested relations, neighbours or friends,
or following complaint by one or other of the statutory authorities.
Although most of the cases brought for the attention of the Public Health Department
staff were in need of care and attention, there was in no instance any need to invoke compulsory
powers of removal under the National Assistance Act. Other methods of dealing
with each case were found by means of the willing co-operation of the various statutory
authorities. The Home Help Service is invaluable for this type of case and is becoming
more generally appreciated. Some proof of this is evidenced by the fact that in previous
years it has always been found that a number of old people would steadfastly refuse to consider
having home help assistance, in 1953, this number amounted to 6, while in 1954, no-one
refused home help. One aged man was very unwilling to accept it for some time, but did so
finally.
It has been ascertained from the Area Medical Officer that 312 Southall people were
given Home Help during the year and of these 223 consisted of chronic sick or aged persons,
and of 982 persons who were assisted by the Home Nurses, 394 were of age 65 or over.
Many voluntary associations contributed to provide Christmas parcels or special comforts
for old people.
Meals on Wheels Service
The Meals on Wheels service for persons of pensionable age continued under the
control of the Women's Voluntary Service Association from January until the end of May,
1954. Meals were provided at a cost of 9d. per meal for the recipient and during those
5 months, meals were supplied to 58 individual recipients, the total number of meals supplied
during that time being 1,114. The Old People's Welfare Committee took over this service
on 1st June. The price of the meals continued at 9d., that being the cost to the recipient,
with the Borough Council making a grant of 1/- to cover the full cost of providing and transporting
the meal. Under the new scheme, the number supplied to each person increased
from one a week under the old scheme to two per week, and before the year was ended,
this had been increased still further and meals were being supplied three times per week.
The exact number of meals supplied under this new scheme was not available, but it is understood
that approximately 2,400 meals were supplied from the 1st June to the 31st December,
1954.
Chiropody Service for Old People
This service was continued throughout 1954. Six local chiropodists gave their services
at cheap rates for Old Age Pensioners.
Holidays for Old People
The holiday scheme whereby old people could get a seaside holiday during off season
months of May and September, at reduced rates, continued during 1954, and was operated
by the various Old People's Clubs in the Borough of which there are six.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951
No case was dealt with under these powers during 1954.
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