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
Camden 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camden]
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MORTUARY AND CORONER'S COURT
Before 1 April 1965, the Hampstead Mortuary in New End was used mainly for persons
dying in the locality. The St. Pancras Mortuary, a much more modern building, was used not only
for cases from that Borough but, at the discretion of the Coroner, for bodies from adjoining Boroughs.
The Holborn Mortuary had not been used for many years.
After 1 April 1965, the Hampstead Mortuary continued in use, but there was little justification
for two mortuaries in the Borough and after consultation with the Coroner and the consultant
Pathologist it was agreed by the Council that the Hampstead Mortuary should be closed early in
1966.
The following table shows the work undertaken during the year 1965:-
| Post-mortem examination | Received for viewing or convenience only | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident and died in Camden | 286 | 1 | 287 |
| Died in Camden, resident elsewhere | 88 | - | 88 |
| Resident in Camden, died elsewhere | 33 | - | 33 |
| Resident and died elsewhere | 581 | - | 581 |
| 988 | 1 | 989 |
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948 - SECTION 47OLD
AND INFIRM PERSONS
The National Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951 provide that a local authority may apply to
a Court of summary jurisdiction for an Order to secure the removal of aged and infirm persons where
it is certified by the Medical Officer of Health to be necessary for the purpose of securing their
proper care and attention. For this purpose, the old people concerned must be:
(a) suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated, living in insanitary conditions; and
(b) unable to devote proper care and attention to themselves, and not receiving
it from other persons.
Although the powers conferred by the Acts constitute a necessary last resort, most people
can be persuaded to accept help without recourse to the Courts. The paramount consideration must
always be the best interests of the patient.
During the year, persuasive efforts by the local medical practitioners and staff of the
Health Department were successful on all occasions when removal to hospital was found necessary.
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