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WELFARE
Old People
During 1951 twenty-one cases of old people in need of care and
attention were brought to the notice of the Public Health Department.
No patient was found to be living in such conditions as to require
Statutory action under the National Assistance Act. Each case of
this nature requires a good deal of investigation as the needs of
the patients vary so much - hospital admission is the most difficult
thing to obtain, though I must express my most grateful appreciation
of the help given by the Hospital Almoners of West Middlesex
Hospital. Accommodation in County Homes for Old People is slowly
increasing and the delays formerly experienced in obtaining Hostel
accommodation have been reduced from years to months, and now we can
hope to have really urgent cases placed reasonably quickly. Details
of the action taken on these cases are as follows:-
Removal to hospital 11
3 were subsequently transferred
to Old Peoples Homes.
3 died following admission to
hospital.
1 was discharged to own home.
Removed under Mental Health Powers 3
Remaining at home because night
nurse obtained 2
Remaining at home with Home Help
assistance 2
Died at home before removal could
be effected 3
Slipper Baths
Under the scheme for the provision at reduced rates (2d
per bath) of Slipper Baths for Old People at the Public Baths
Establishments 1,230 baths were taken in Ghiswick and 195 in
Brentford.
Meals on Wheels
The provision of mid-day meals once a week cooked at the
Town Hall Staff Canteen and conveyed to the homes of the housebound
elderly or chronic sick was continued throughout the year by the Old
People's Welfare Committees 1,015 such meals were delivered during
1951 .
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