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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 19 48, SECTION 47
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 19 51
Visiting of old people whose circumstances require assessment under the above
Acts is carried out by the Public Health Department. There was one compulsory
removal to a hospital under the Amendment Act during 1958. The Order was made for
three weeks, the maximum permissible time under this Act. Brief details of this
case, which is very typical, are as follows:-
Mrs A.B. aged 90
The circumstances were referred by the patient's panel doctor. The husband,
aged 82, had suffered two cerebral seizures and was unable to give the necessary
care and attention. The patient was suffering from haemorrhages and refused to
go to hospital when the ambulance, arranged by her doctor, arrived. She was
therefore removed under the Amendment Act on the 28th March and died on the 12th
April.
She was an accomplished musician, a member of a gifted musical family and
had given musical tuition in her earlier days to members of the Royal Family. A
long and interesting tribute to her appeared in the obituary column of "The Times"
Department Records of Old People
The details of old persons as they become known are recorded in the Department
and the number, although fluctuating, is on the increase.
Number of primary visits for investigation in 1958 256
New cases recorded for supervision in 1958 136
Number of deaths recorded in 1958 60
Number of old people admitted to Hospitals, Homes and Institutions
permanently 66
Re-visits 911
Total number of cases under supervision at end of year 443
Total number of cases recorded in Department 1.260
Number of cases referred to other Authorities and Organisations,
or miscellaneous 25
Number left District 8
Hospital Liaison Visits 110