London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Battersea 1956

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

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46
Care of the Aged.
The work and problems as outlined in previous Reports remain,
and during the year there have been no outstanding developments. One
of our Public Health Inspectors devotes a considerable part of her
time to the care of old people, and at the end of the year had 219 old
people on her Register whom she visited and kept in touch with. Close
liaison is maintained with other organisations and agencies concerned
with the care of old people, particularly the London County Council
local Health Department, the Home Help Organisation and the
Battersea Old People's Welfare Committee. As I stated previously,
was fortunately only necessary to take compulsory action for the
removal to hospital in the case of one old person.
Use of Slipper Baths by Old Age Pensioners.
The Council make available to old age pensioners free use of the
slipper baths at their Baths Establishments (with use of a towel) on
production of their pension books. This facility has also been extended
to blind persons.
During the year 1956 this arrangement was taken advantage
at the respective Baths Establishments as follows:—
Males
Females
Latchmere
2,759
3.717
Nine Elms
1,135
316
Plough Road
1,291
1,813
Total
5,185
5,846
Burial of Deceased Persons.
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council
are responsible for the burial or cremation of the body of any person
dying, or being found dead, in the Borough, and have power to recover
from the estate of the deceased person, or from any person who, under
the Act, was liable to maintain the deceased immediately prior to his
death, their expenses incurred in carrying out the duty, in so far as
these expenses are not covered by any grant made under the National
Insurance Act, 1946.
During the year, 9 cases were dealt with.
The burials arranged by the Council are carried out by a local
undertaker under contract, and not more than one coach is provided
for followers. The Health Department make the arrangements an
collect all available information regarding any estate left by the deceased.
particulars of his National Insurance, and the existence of any " liable"
relatives. This information is passed to the Borough Treasurer so that
he may take steps to recover the cost.
The total cost incurred in dealing with the 9 cases was £119
approximately, and of this amount approximately £75 was recovered
by the end of the year.