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 and Chelsea 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]
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BURIALS AND CREMATIONS
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, imposes on the Council the
duty to arrange for the burial or cremation of the body of any person who has died or been
found dead, within the borough, where no suitable arrangements have been or can be made
for disposal.
During the period under review, the Council became responsible for the burial of 25 persons. The following is a summary of the action taken:-
| Cases where funeral expenses have been fully recovered | 17 | ||
| Cases where part only of the expenses have been recovered | 5 | ||
| Cases where full cost has been borne by the Council | 3 | ||
| Cost of the 25 burials | £525. | 9. | 0. |
| Amount recovered | £425. | 19. | 0. |
| Cost to Council | £99. | 10. | 0. |
REMOVAL TO SUITABLE PREMISES OF PERSONS IN NEED
OF CARE AND ATTENTION (SECTION 47)
It was necessary to obtain a Court Order in onlyone case to effect the removal
to hospital of a woman, aged 65 years, who was suffering from a grave chronic disease.
RECEIVERSHIPS
TheChief Welfare Officer is the designated person to act as Receiver, by Order
of the Court of Protection, on behalf of 9 persons who are mentally incapable of managing
their own affairs.
The duties of the Receiver are defined by the terms of the Court's Order and vary
in eachcase. Theyare usuallyconnectedwiththeday-to-dayadministrationof thepatients'
financial affairs which includes the sale of the patients' effects, procuring lodgment into
Court of capital monies, paying outstanding debts and arranging for the safe custody of
securities, etc. The Receiver has to account, generally annually, to the Court of Protection
for his action on behalf of the patient. He is also expected to take a personal interest
in the welfare of the patients, to advise and assist them to be restored to the management of
their own affairs and to submit to the Chief Clerk of the Court any proposals within patients'
means which are likely to ameliorate their condition or add to their comfort.
The gross value of the estates of the nine persons concerned amounts to approximately
£8,000.
SETTLEMENT OF ESTATES
Local Authorities have the responsibility for the settlement of estates of persons
dying intestate in those instances where theyare actively engaged in the provision of services
stemming from the National Assistance Act, 1948; such work is carried out in co-operation
with the Treasury Solicitor.
At the commencement of the year, 65 estates for settlement were transferred to
the Department from the former London County Council. Some of them have remained outstanding
for periods of four or five years, owing to problems in ascertaining full detailed
information. Fifteen estates involved people without relatives; however, information has
now been supplied to the Treasury Solicitor's office to enable the estates to be wound up.
At 31st December, 1965, a total of 75 estates was being dealt with.