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Whilst this provision is very necessary in order to deal with
unusual and very difficult cases it is one which should be resorted
to only when all else has failed. Some persons feel very keenly that
they should not be treated in, what appears to them, a manner which
is used for criminals, merely because they are old or helpless and do
not exhibit a passion for cleanliness.
A number of cases came to the notice of the Public Health Department
where it was suggested that conditions would justify action under
this section. Mostly they were old people living alone but there
were some cases of elderly married couples. On investigation it was
found that some of these people were unaware of the facilities provided
by the London County Council under the Home Help Service and
the provision of a Home Help solved most of the difficulties. Some
of those that were aware of the service required considerable
persuasion to overcome their pride and sense of Independence to allow
a stranger to enter their homes. In some cases it appeared that
medical treatment was what was mainly required, in others, an old
peoples home or institution appeared to be the only reasonable
solution and apart from the difficulty of obtaining a chronic sick
bed or a place in an institution it was frequently necessary to
overcome the objection to entering what is still regarded by many
old people as the "workhouse" or the "infirmary". In a few instances
it was possible to arrange for adequate care to be provided by
friends or relatives. In all cases it was possible to arrange matters
by persuasion and it was unnecessary to resort to legal proceedings.
(13) Burial of the Dead
In accordance with Section 50 of the National Assistance Act,1948,
the Council is responsible for the burial or cremation of the body of
any person who had died or been found dead within the Borough, and
where no private arrangements are being made for the disposal of the
body. Authority is given 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/her death, the expenses incurred
in carrying out the duty, in so far as these expenses are not covered
by any grant under the National Insurance Act, 1946.
During the year, 11 burials were arranged by the Department at a
cost of £82. 14s. 6d., £55. 0s. 6d. being recovered up to the end of
the year.