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For the time being the majority of persons already supplied directly from
the Invalid Meals for London were kept on by that Association. The meals for
delivery by the new van were obtained from the Acton kitchen of that Association
and it was thus possible to eliminate the waiting list, which had been growing
throughout the year, because of the double service available.
All old persons supplied are recommended on medical grounds, although they
are not necessarily suffering from any immediate and urgent illness, and the
arrangement at the time of the commencement of the new service was that old
people with medical certificates of treatable illness were still to be supplied
direct from the Invalid Meals For London Association, other housebound elderly
to come on the new service.
During 1958, 11,409 meals were provided for 58 old people by the Invalid
Meals for London direct service and 1,727 for 34 old people by the Brentford and
Chiswick Welfare Organisation vehicle. At the end of the year the new service
was not yet extended to its fullest capacity and there was no waiting list.
The total number of meals on wheels delivered in the year was nearly 3,000 more
than in 1957.
Laundry for the Incontinent Aged
The scheme for the provision of laundry facilities for the incontinent aged,
started in the autumn of 1956, was carried on throughout the year. Old people
in need of this service were brought to the notice of the Public Health Department
staff from various sources, then arrangements were made for the Department’s
van to call each week to collect the soiled linen, deliver it to Spring Grove
Laundry, and to transport the clean linen back again to the home of the old
person. No charge was made for the service but for each case a certificate was
submitted to the Public Health Committee.
During the year six old persons had been recommended for, and obtained,
this service.
Home Safety
The North Thames Gas Board who in 1956 offered a free service of inspection
of the gas appliances and service pipes in houses of old age pensioners living
alone, continued to arrange for inspections during the year. The reason for
this was in order to reduce the risk of gas poisoning, a frequent cause of home
accidents and fatalities in old people.
The offer was to include free replacement of faulty pipes and the free
repair of faulty appliances.
GENERAL
The District Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the
Divisional Director of the British Red Cross Society have kindly supplied information
concerning their welfare work in the Borough.
St. John Ambulance Brigade
There are 4 Divisions of St. John Ambulance Brigade in this Borough.
No. 54 Brentford & Chiswick Ambulance Division
No.135 Brentford & Chiswick Nursing Division
No. 95 Brentford & Chiswick Ambulance Cadet Division
No. 86 Brentford & Chiswick Nursing Cadet Division
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