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41
international Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation.
Arrangements continued during the year for the authentication
by the Medical Officer of Health of the signatures of
Doctors on certificates of vaccination and inoculation required
by travellers from this country going abroad.
This authentication is required to prove that the Doctor
named on the certificate as having carried out the vaccination
or inoculation is a duly registered medical practitioner.
During the year 424 certificates were authenticated.
National Assistance Act, 1948.
National Assistance Amendment Act, 1951.
Removal to Suitable Premises of Persons in Need of Care
and Attention.
Under the provisions of the National Assistance Acts, a
Medical Officer of Health is empowered to apply to the Courts
for an Order for the compulsory removal to a hospital or other
suitable place, of persons who are suffering from grave chronic
disease or, being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated, are
living in insanitary conditions and unable to devote to themselves,
and are not receiving from others, proper care and
attention.
During the year 36 cases were referred to the Department
as being in need of care and attention but in only four instances
was it necessary to take action under the above Acts. These
cases were in respect of:—
1. Mrs. A., age 83, found to be living in a dirty condition,
confined to bed, the only person able to do anything
for her was an old lady living in the same house
who was also 83. Mrs. A. was a difficult type of
woman and refused all help. She was removed to
Hospital and later transferred to a Mental Hospital.
2. Miss B., age 76, who was found on the floor by the Home
Help Organiser. Miss B was later visited and was
then found sitting in a chair with her clothes
saturated with urine, and appeared to be unable to
use her legs and to be suffering from malnutrition.
A Court Order was obtained and she was removed
to hospital.
3. Mrs. C., age 81, unable to get about, had rheumatism in
her legs and was also in a very dirty condition, as
was the room in which she lived. She refused to
go to Hospital for treatment. An Order for removal
was obtained under an Emergency Order and after
two months she was removed to a Private Nursing
Home.