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In exceptional cases the patient refuses all assistance or admission to a suitable
home or hospital and action may be necessary to secure a Magistrates Order under the
National Assistance Act in order to ensure proper care and attention. One such case
arose in 1963.
A man aged 85 years living alone was incapable of looking after himself and there
was a fire risk to others living nearby. An order was made for his admission to a
County home, and subsequently he continued happily there on a voluntary basis.
(XX) PEOPLE' S WELFARE COMMITTEE
The following is extracted from the Chairman's Annual Report.
Visits and General Welfare
A regular visiting service is maintained to the needy giving such assistance as
is available. In addition to 960 visits by the Committee's staff, voluntary workers
visited in 210 instances. The Inner Wheel members assist very much in visiting the
sick and housebound, and supplying nourishment, help and service to the elderly people.
School children are also very interested in visiting, and it is good for both the old
and young to get to know each other.
2,500 office interviews took place during the year when advice and information
was given as to the services available. There are many old people who are still
reluctant to apply for supplementary help from the National Assistance Board.
Meals-on-Wheels Service
Meals are distributed on five days each week and a total of 11,638 meals were
delivered during the year. Although the meals are prepared in the Council's Catering
Department their delivery is largely dependant upon the voluntary workers, who so
tirelessly give of their time to this service. More helpers would be welcome so as
to ensure that the work can be effectively maintained.
Chiropody Service
Ten clinic sessions are held each week which were attended by a total of 1,064
old people who received 4,3 82 treatments during the year. The appointments are at
present spaced as far apart as twelve weeks and this is too long a period for many of
the old people to wait. For this reason it is hoped that it will be possible to
arrange additional clinics in the future.
1,704 treatments were given to old people in their homes and during the year the
number of weekly visits was increased from 30 to 36, although there are still 28 people
on the waiting list of this service.
Optical Service
20 housebound patients were visited by the Optician.
Shoe Repairs
Efforts to get more shoe repairers interested in this service have not yet met
with success, and there is only one repairer in the Borough operating the Scheme.