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

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Greenwich 1971

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

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178
Homes for Old People
All our elderly people in Part III accommodation are housed
within the Borough boundaries in seven small, purpose-designed
homes with a total of 462 places. Two further homes are planned,
the building of one of which is expected to commence shortly.

Part III Accommodation

HomePlaces
Bryceson60
Elmgrove60
Perrygrove62
Plumstead Lodge96
Sunbury Lodge64
Tegel60
Weybourne60
Total462

Admissions
Currently, close assessment of the needs of applicants for
admission continues to be exercised by the "Admissions Panel"
led by the Deputy Medical Officer of Health although responsibility
for these services is now one for the Social Services
Directorate.
With an increasing elderly population, demands for such
facilities are advancing and the waiting list grows correspondingly.
National Assistance Act 1948/51
Section 47 of the 1948 Act enables the Medical Officer of Health
compulsorily to remove to hospital or institution any aged or infirm
persons unable, adequately to care for themselves or who are
not receiving from others proper care and attention.
Where delay of even a few hours may prove decisive the
Medical Officer of Health, in accordance with the National
Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, is empowered to arrange for
the removal of urgent cases without the necessity of giving 7 days
notice. Order for removal can be made by a Court of Summary
Jurisdiction or a single Justice on an application certified by the
Medical Officer of Health and another registered general medical
practitioner and where agreement to receive such patients has been
reached with the hospital or institution authorities. If necessary
the court of justice may act ex parte. Orders so made under the
Amendment Act are limited to a period not exceeding 3 weeks and