View report page

—16—
Council's Women Health Officers in connection with the care
of old people during the year 1952:-
Cases on register at the beginning of year 3,388
New cases added to register 1,811
Cases removed to hospitals 18
Cases removed to homes (voluntarily) 23
Cases removed to homes (compulsorily) 4
Cases removed from district 17
Number of deaths 188
Total number of cases remaining on register at
end of year 4,949
Number of old people sent away for holiday 76
Number of old people provided with Council's
laundry service 119
Number of old people provided with "Meals on
Wheels" 349
Cases referred to National Assistance Board 118
Cases referred for assistance from Home Help
Department 132
Cases referred for assistance from Voluntary
Organisations 139
Cases referred to Recreational Clubs 113
Cases assisted with provision of medical and
nursing care 89
Cases where disinfestation was carried out 25
Number of initial home visits made 1,648
Number of re-visits 1,536
Number of other visits made in connection with
old people, including visits to clubs 196
Number of interviews, enquiries, etc. on
behalf of old people 1,739
Removal of old and infirm persons to institutions etc.
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the
Council may apply to a Court for an order to remove to a
suitable institution any person who-
(a) is suffering from grave chronic disease, or
being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated,
is living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) is unable to devote to himself, or is not
receiving from other persons, proper care
and attention.
The National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, which
came into operation on 1st September, 1951, amended Section
47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948.
Previously, it was necessary for the Medical Officer
of Health to certify in writing that a person should be
removed, and the Council had to apply to the Court for a
Removal Order. Seven clear days' notice had to be given
to the person concerned and to the Superintendent of the
hospital or institution to which it was proposed to remove
such person.
Under the Act of 1951, application for removal of urgent
cases may be made by the local authority or by the Medical
Officer of Health, if authorised by the Council to do so,
without giving the seven days' notice. Such applications
may be made either to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction or to
a single Justice, on a certificate by the Medical Officer of
Health and another registered medical practitioner. Further,
where the hospital or Institution agree to receive the case,
it is no longer necessary to give seven days' notice to the