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The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
The effects of the implementation of this Act have been reflected in the level of service provided
to the physically handicapped during 1971.
During the course of the year, 70 telephone installations were carried out in the homes of
handicapped persons and the Council accepted the responsibility for the rental charges of 25
other cases.
The number of adaptations carried out in the homes of disabled people increased from 53
in 1970 to 89 in 1971. To assist in coping with this demand the Council approved the appointment
of additional occupational therapists.
Concessionary Fares for the Elderly
In April 1971 the Council adopted the scheme of granting concessionary fare permits to
elderly people of pensionable age who were in receipt of supplementary benefit or a rate rebate.
Permits were distributed from five centres within the Borough and up to 31st December 1971—•
3,740 were issued.
The Home Help Service
For some years now it has been very difficult to recruit women who are willing to work as
home helps. Although there has been an approved establishment of 100 full time home helps
it has not been possible to recruit more than the equivalent of 75 full-time home helps (on average).
The general employment situation during 1971, however, changed the situation as far as
recruitment was concerned and by December there was almost a full establishment.
The home help service will be expanded further during 1972 and organising and clerical
staff, along with the social work staff, will move out into offices in the area which they serve.
The Meals Service
The meals on wheels service is at present provided through a number of voluntary organisations.
The Social Services Committee decided, however, to set up a working party to look into the whole
question of the provision of meals both to the elderly and the disabled.
Meetings have taken place with the voluntary organisations concerned and more are planned.
It is the wish of the Council to provide a number of dining centres throughout the Borough,
in addition to increasing the meals on wheels service.
Day Nurseries
The responsibility for day nurseries is one of the functions which passed from the Health
Committee to the Social Services Committee in April 1971.
The first of the Council's war time nursery buildings in Uxbridge is to be replaced and building
commenced on the Park Road, Uxbridge site during 1971 and is due for completion in April 1972.
Private Day Nurseries and Child Minders
Responsibility for the supervision of these nurseries also passed to the Social Services
Committee in April 1971, but at present the inspection and supervision is continuing to be carried
out by the principal nursing officer and health visitors.
RESEARCH
The research division of the department is the responsibility of Mr. M. D. Tidball, assistant
director, and is concerned to identify the needs, both present and future, for social services in
the Borough by organising surveys and studies to analyse these. By continually examining the
work of the department it is planned that the services provided for clients will continue to improve
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