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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
Under Section 47 of this Act, power is given to the Councils of
County Boroughs and County Districts to apply to the Court of
Summary Jurisdiction for an Order for removal and detention, in
a suitable hospital or other place, of persons who
(a) are suffering from grave chronic disease, or, being aged,
infirm or physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary
conditions; and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not
receiving from other persons, proper care and attention.
Action under this Section was taken by the Wimbledon Borough
Council on one occasion during 1948. The attention of the Public
Health Department was directed to this case in November by the
police. The person concerned was over 70 years old and was living
alone in a house without lighting, heating or proper water supply.
The premises were in an insanitary condition, and she was obviously
aged, infirm and physically handicapped. Immediate arrangements
were made for district nurses to attend, and they brought blankets
and food and lit fires. The local Food Office arranged for an
emergency supply of food, as no ration book or identity card appeared
to be available. The services of a home help were also provided.
The old person refused to enter hospital. Application was eventually
made to the Court of Summary Jurisdiction for an Order requiring
her removal and detention in a hospital or other place. This order
was granted for a period of three months, and removal to hospital
through the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board was
duly effected. At the end of the year the patient was still in
hospital.
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