London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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43
National Assistance Act, 1948.
Section 47—Care of Old. Persons.
The living conditions of 33 persons of retirement age were reported during the year
as being in need of investigation. In no instance was it found necessary to obtain a Magistrate's
Order under the Act.
The source of information and action taken are shown in the following table:—
| Reported by | No. of cases | ACTION TAKEN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voluntarily removed to hospital or institution | Kept under observation at home together with the provision of various types of help | Deceased | ||
| Relatives | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Medical practitioners | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Friends and/or neighbours | 6 | 2 | 4 | — |
| Sanitary Inspectors | 8 | 2 | 6 | — |
| National Assistance Board | 3 | — | 2 | 1 |
| L.C.C. Visitor to the Blind | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Member of Borough Council | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Hospital Almoner | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| District Nursing Association | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| London Council of Social Service | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| 33 | 13 | 18 | 2 | |
Section 50—Burials.
During the year 1952 the department carried out 74 burials. The gross cost was
£612 lis. 6d. which represents an average of £8 5s. 6d. per burial.
£546 10s. 3d. was recovered from the following sources:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 197 | 18 | 3 |
| Death grants | 143 | 8 | 6 |
| Assurance Companies | 40 | 6 | 7 |
| Employers | 3 | 9 | |
| Private persons | 92 | 3 | 11 |
| Ministry of Labour | 1 | 12 | 6 |
| Ministry of Pensions | 3 | 16 | 5 |
| Ministry of National Insurance | 17 | 4 | 6 |
| National Assistance Board | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Post Office Savings Department | 18 | 14 | 7 |
| Treasury Solicitor | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Coroner's Officers | 18 | 6 | 9 |
The net cost to the Borough Council for the year's working was thus £66 Is. 3d., being
an average of 17s. 10d. per burial.
From the date the Act came into force (July, 1948) until the end of 1952, 339 burials
have been carried out.