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- 117-
THE KENSINGTON DAY CENTRE
Close liaison was maintained with the Kensington DayCentre which is at present
administered by a Management Committee under the auspices of the Kensington Council of
Social Service, with representatives of interested bodies, including the Borough Council.
The Centre is open each week-day and provides recreational facilities and
occupational therapy, a chiropody service, hairdressing and bathing services, a library
service and midday meals.
A hydraulic tail-lift coach with driver is provided by the Council to transport
the elderly handicapped to and from the Centre.
Attendance is approximately 60 per day serving some 300 elderly per week.
OTHER FEATURES OF THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT
DETERMINATION OF LIABILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY
Section 32 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, provides that the Local Authority
in whose area a person is "ordinarily resident" shall be responsible for the cost of assistance
lawfully provided by any other local authority. Cases of disagreement are determined by
the Minister of Health. It has not been necessary to date to refer any cases for arbitration
to the Minister and all cases in doubt have been amicably resolved.
REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION OF VOLUNTARY AND PRIVATE HOMES
FOR THE AGED AND INFIRM
The National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 26 makes provision for the accommodation
of aged and infirm persons in homes maintained byvoluntary organisations. Section
37 provides for the inspection and registration both of voluntary and privately run homes.
The Council on the 1st April, 1965, accepted the responsibility for the registration
and inspection of 17 voluntary homes within the borough providing 773 beds, and 3
private homes providing 66 beds. One of these private homes was registered prior to the
1st April, 1965, and during the nine months period to the end of December, the other 2
private homes were in the process of complying with the regulations, with a view to their
early registration.
Two voluntary homes were closed; the residents of one were transferred to new
premisesin another borough, while the residents of the other were transferred to new premises
within the borough. Thesechanges resulted in there being 16 voluntary homes with 731 beds
within the borough at the 31st December, 1965.
The inspection of all these homes is progressing satisfactorily.
CARE AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
Inaccordancewith Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the department
undertakes responsibility for the care and protection of movable property of persons
admitted to hospital, residential accommodation or place of safety under an order of the
Court where no other suitable arrangements are being or can be made.
At 1st April, 1965, the Council accepted responsibility for 30 lots of property
and during the period'under review, 102 further cases were dealt with; of these, it was
possible in 15 cases to arrange for a relative or other responsible person to take over the
care of the patient's property.