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22
REGISTRATION OF DISABLED PERSONS' OR OLD PERSONS' HOMES
Section 37 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, requires disabled persons' and old persons' homes
to be registered by the Council. There are two private old persons' homes registered by the Council: —
22, St. Gabriels Road, N.W.2.
28, Sedgecombe Avenue, Kenton.
These homes are inspected at regular intervals and a high standard is maintained.
REMOVAL TO SUITABLE PREMISES OF PERSONS IN NEED OF CARE AND
ATTENTION
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, permits the removal to an institution of a person
in need of care and attention by the Council; an Order for removal is made by a court of summary jurisdiction,
but seven clear days' notice of an intended application must be given. The National Assistance
(Amendment) Act, 1951, permits immediate removal provided the Medical Officer of Health and another
registered medical practitioner certify that it is in the interests of the person to remove him without delay;
the Order in this case can be made either by a court of summary jurisdiction or by a single justice having such
jurisdiction. The amending Act modifies the period from three months to three weeks for a person to be
detained in the first instance.
Several cases were investigated during the year, but it was possible to make them comfortable in
their own homes by the provision of additional services such as home help, home nurse, meals-on-wheels
and no further action was necessary.
TEMPORARY CARE AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
In accordance with Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, the Department undertook responsibility
for the care and protection of the movable property of 11 residents who were admitted to hospital or
residential accommodation where it was apparent that no other suitable arrangements were being made. In
14 other cases, the Department was able to discharge its duties by arranging for relatives or friends to assume
responsibility and to indemnify the Council accordingly. At the end of the year, the property of 17 residents
was in store in the annexe of "Mardale" residential home. The Council decided to use the annexe for storage
purposes after it was closed for residential purposes in December due to inadequate heating.
Two properties were secured for protection and no further action was required.
Proceedings were commenced for the Borough Treasurer to be appointed as agent under Receivership
Orders in two cases where the persons concerned were deemed to be unable to manage their own affairs.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial or cremation of 46 persons during the year. 28 of these were residents of the Council's
residential homes.
WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE COMMUNITY
Prior to 31st March 1965, many of the welfare services for the elderly in the community, such as
luncheon clubs, meals-on-wheels, full-time clubs, holidays, outings for the housebound, sale of welfare foods
and distribution of Christmas gifts, were organised and administered by Wembley Old People's Welfare
Committee and Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee, with financial support from their respective
Borough Councils. From 1st April, these services were taken over by the Council.
Two full-time social centres for the elderly—Willesden Green and Kensal Rise Senior Clubs—entered
their fifth year of successful operation, the former in adapted and the latter in purpose-built premises. Each
Senior Club has an enrolled membership of 500, who pay a nominal membership fee of l/0 d. per year. The
amenities provided include rooms for billiards, television, hobbies, reading and spacious main club rooms for
meals, refreshments, whist-drives, concerts and other entertainments. In the Wembley area, Council finance
supports two full-time centres providing similar amenities, but for men only, at Barham Park and Kingsbury
Veterans' Clubs, in premises provided by the Council.
Eight luncheon clubs have in recent years been established in the Willesden part of the Borough at
William Dunbar Community Centre, Kilburn; Harley Hall, Harlesden; St. Michael's Church Hall, Knatchbull
Road ; Neasden Methodist Church Hall; Anson Hall, Cricklewood; Scout Hall, Streatley Road, Kilburn;
and the Willesden Green and Kensal Rise Senior Clubs. A ninth club, the first in the Wembley area, was
opened in November, at the New Hall, Ealing Road, and on the three days the club functions attendances soon
reached the 80/90 mark. Two-course meals, prepared in school meals kitchens, are served at a charge of
1 /3d. and 35,270 meals were served in the nine clubs in 1965.
The meals-on-wheels service continued to be operated in conjunction with the Women's Voluntary
Services, deliveries being made on 2 or 3 days per week in five vehicles. Meals are prepared at Kensal Rise
Senior Club Kitchen for the Willesden area, and from the school meals organisation for the Wembley area,
26,593 meals being delivered in 1965 at the same charge of 1 /3d.