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whereby a court of summary jurisdiction may make an order for the
removal of ill, infirm or incapacitated persons who are not receiving
proper care and attention.
During the year under review it was found necessary in four cases
to use the powers of the Act:-
Three of these cases were in respect of women, aged 76,
79 and 94 years, who were infirm and physically incapacitated
and living in insanitary conditions. They were unable to
devote to themselves, and were not receiving from other
persons, proper care and attention. They all refused to
enter suitable institutions and, in their own interests,
there was no alternative but to apply for removal orders,
all of which were granted by the Magistrate.
The fourth case was in respect of a woman, aged 87 years,
who was infirm and physically incapacitated and living in
insanitary conditions. She was also in need of urgent
hospital treatment but refused to enter hospital voluntarily
and, in her own interests, there was no alternative but to
apply for a removal order, which was granted by the
Magistrate.
During the year 33 other cases were brought to the notice of the
Department where aged persons were in need of attention. It was
possible in a number of these to provide necessary care for these old
people in their own homes and the Home Help service provided by the
London County Council was again helpful in this connection. In other
cases where it was not possible to make satisfactory provision in their
own homes the old people were persuaded to enter a hospital or an
institution.
The Old People's Welfare Committee, comprising representatives of
the Council and the various local organisations and social settlements,
continued to provide all possible assistance to old people in the
Borough by the provision of clubs, home visitation, meals-on-wheels
service, chiropody service, holidays and outings, etc.