London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Carshalton 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]

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Carshalton Chest and Heart Care Committee
This voluntary committee continued its beneficent work in caring for
patients with chest and heart diseases and their families in the many
diverse ways for which there is no provision in the statutory schemes.
Originally constituted to deal with tuberculosis sufferers it extended the
scope of its activities in 1959 to include patients with other chest complaints
referred to it by the Chest Physicians of the hospitals.
Its welfare functions are primarily economic and social since the
majority of families coming within its purview are in very straitened
circumstances owing to the prolonged nature of the disability. The help
given during the year included the following:—
Grants for clothing, bedding, fuel, materials for occupational
therapy, means of transport, materials for home decoration,
gardening implements and tools and television licences. Fares to
hospital for near relatives. Holidays for patients and their families.
Christmas gifts.
Except for a grant of £100 from the County Council, all funds are
raised by voluntary effort. Disbursements for the benefit of patients
totalled £443 16s. 9d. and the administration expenditure was £17 2s. l0d.
There were of course no salaries or honoraria.
Carshalton Old Peoples Welfare Committee
The year 1961 saw a further expansion of the work of this relatively
new Committee. Since its formation in 1957 a great deal of voluntary
effort has made it a very important factor of service to the old people of
the district though there remains plenty of scope for further development
as and when the necessary financial and personal help is available.
Among its present activities are a home visiting service, a chiropody
service and meals on wheels. More recently an arrangement has been
made with the Darby and Joan Club in Cooper Crescent, whereby housebound
aged individuals can be transported to and from the Club on one
day a week, an Austin Wagon having been purchased by the Committee
for the purpose.
The District Council make a grant in respect of the meals service
and the County Council assist in the case of the chiropody service.
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