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

Kensington 1951

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]

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- 15 -
removal to the institution and detention therein for a
period not exceeding three weeks. She died three days after
removal to the institution.
Burial of the Dead
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948,
imposes on the Council the duty to arrange for the burial or
cremation of any person who dies or is found dead within
the borough, where no suitable private arrangements are made
for the disposal of the remains. The Council have authorised
the Medical Officer of Health to make arrangements for the
burial of any person to whom it applies.
This increasing work frequently entails difficult and
often unpleasant tasks in the detailed listing and disposal
of effects. These, and the sometimes prolonged and involved
correspondence with relatives, claimants and Government
Departments, have substantially added to the work of the
administrative staff.

Table: In the twelve months ended 31st December, 1951, the Council became responsible for the burial of 53 persons dying in the borough. The following is a summary of the action taken

In the twelve months ended 31st December, 1951, the Council became responsible for the burial of 53 persons dying in the borough. The following is a summary of the action taken

(a) Cases where the Council's funeral expenses have been fully recovered28
(b) Cases where part only of the expenses has been recovered17
(i) Number of these where balance of expenses will be recovered1 (amounting to £3.10s. 0d. )
(ii) Number of these where there is no estate or "liable" relative11
(iii) Number of these where "liable" relatives are unable to contribute5
(c) Cases where full cost has been borne by the Council8
(i) Number of these where part expenses will be recovered1 (amounting to £5.Os.Od.)
(ii) Number of these where there is no estate or "liable" relative4
(iii) Number of these where "liable" relatives are unable to contribute3
Amount recovered by end of year£237.13.5d.•
Additional amount expected to be recovered8.10.Od£246.3.5d.
Irrecoverable§08.11.7d.
Total cost£454.15.0d.

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It is of interest to note that of the 53 cases dealt
with, only 17 were eligible for a Death Grant from the
Ministry of National Insurance. The total amount recovered