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Meals on Wheels
The provision of a hot dinner once a day for an old person living alone may
make all the difference between health and malnutrition. The new meals service
operated by the Brentford and Chiswick Welfare Organisation which is subsidised
by Brentford and Chiswick Borough Council, developed rapidly during 1959. For
most of the year in order to keep down the waiting list for this service, the
Meals Van, originally planned to convey 40 - 50 meals a day, was actually carrying
round 55 - 65. This meant that the meals were delivered over a somewhat
protracted lunch hour as the delivery required three hours of fast continuous
service, and was also making excessively heavy demands on the very willing driver
and helper. It was early realised that a second van would be required, and by
the end of the year it was hoped that this double service would be available
early in 1960. 150 elderly persons obtained meals from this service during 1959,
and 12,898 meals were delivered during the year.
In addition to this meals service, the Invalid Meals for London continued
to supply certain people in the Borough with daily meals throughout the year.
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 eleven 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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