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PEACE TIME EMERGENCIES
The Department has a responsibility to provide temporary accommodation in the event of
large numbers of people becoming homeless because of emergencies.
In this connection staff of the Department had an opportunity to put the emergency scheme
into operation by taking part in an exercise which was organised by the Police in conjunction
with the Hillingdon Borough Emergency Force on 26th September, 1970. A factory explosion
was assumed to have occurred in Hayes as a result of which people were killed, injured or rendered
homeless.
Social welfare officers were present at the site of the incident and channelled the "homeless"
through to the Honeycroft Hill Centre which was the first "prepared rest centre". Blankets,
mattresses and other necessities were taken to the Centre and the W.R.V.S. provided light refreshments.
A main meal was provided by the School Meals service.
Valuable experience was gained from this exercise and as a result one or two improvements
in the scheme are being made.
PROTECTION OF MOVABLE PROPERTY
Action was taken under Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, 1948 to protect the
movable property of six persons who were in hospital.
IN SERVICE TRAINING
During 1970 social welfare staff and residential care staff were able to participate in training
courses organised by the London Boroughs Training Committee.
BURIALS AND CREMATIONS
The Council has a duty under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act to arrange for the
burial or cremation of the body of any person who has died or been found dead within the Borough,
where no other suitable arrangements have been or can be made for disposal. In this connection
the Council made funeral arrangements in 9 cases in 1970. Of these, 5 died in Old People's Homes
and 4 died elsewhere.
Mental Health Services
Dr. B. P. Westworth—Principal Medical Officer
The number of persons suffering from mental disorder in the Borough has been steadily
increasing. In 1966, 705 new cases were reported and in 1970, 984 new cases were reported.
This represents an increase of 47% or nearly 12% per year.
Hillingdon has perhaps two facets not experienced by other London Boroughs and these
are four R.A.F. Camps and one U.S.A.F. Base in or just on the boundaries of the Borough which
present a moving population of some magnitude and this provides many problems particularly
amongst families with a handicapped person in their midst.
The other facet is London Airport. This presents the Mental Welfare Officer with problems of
a world wide variety and the number of calls on his services here is growing each year.
In the following report on mental illness, it will be noticed that the Mental Welfare Officers'
work has increased owing to the expanding awareness of general practitioners and hospitals of
the value of the support that can be given to families under stress.
The Borough has one residential establishment to assist patients recovering from mental
illness. This is a 30 place rehabilitation hostel, which does excellent work in endeavouring to
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