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53
Bacteriological examination of food is carried out by the Public Health
Laboratory Service, County Hall, S.E.I and the Royal Institute of Public Health,
and these laboratories, together with the laboratory at West London Hospital are
also available to doctors for bacteriological examinations, throat swabs, intestinal
specimens, etc. The necessary swabs and outfits for the laboratories can be
obtained from the Public Health Department.
National Assistance Act, 1948
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951
Removal to Hospital of Persons in Need of Care and Attention
Under the provisions of the above Acts, application may be made to a Court
of Summary Jurisdiction for an Order for the compulsory removal to hospital of
persons in need of proper care and attention.
It was not found necessary to take action under these Acts in respect of any
person in the borough during the year as in all cases it was found possible to find
a solution in other ways, eithet by co-operation with the family doctor or by making
use of ancillary services.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 50
Burial or Cremation of the Dead.
During the year 21 burials were carried out by the Council.
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
In the year under review the Hammersmith Old People's Welfare Association
continued to promote the general welfare of the old people of the Borough.
Under the provisions of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Borough Council
is permitted to make contributions to the funds of any voluntary organisation whose
activities consist in or include the provision of recreation or meals for old people.
Aided by substantial grants from the Council, the Association has steadily expanded
its services for old people along the lines of the provision of meals both for the
active and the homebound, holidays and outings, social visiting and chiropody.
The Association also co-ordinates the work of the various voluntary organisations in the field of social visiting, holidays and the provision of meals at the
Luncheon Clubs.
During the year the National Assistance Act, 1948 (Amendment) Act, 1962,
came into force. This Act empowers a local authority to provide meals and recreation for old people directly if it so desires, and the Hammersmith Council will
be assuming responsibility for these welfare services as from 1st April, 1963. The
voluntary organisations will still have an important part to play in the provision of
these services, working together with the Council and other statutory bodies, and
we can confidently look forward to an even greater contribution to the social health
of the older members of the community.
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
The County Council remained responsible for the personal health services
with Dr. B. E. A. Sharpe and Dr. E. M. Cran as Divisional Medical Officer and
Deputy, respectively.
Much of the day to day administration of the service was provided by the
Medical Officers of Health for the Boroughs of Chelsea. Fulham. Hammersmith and
Kensington, which four Boroughs comprise Division 1.
The liaison between the staffs of the County Council and the Borough Council
continues on a very happy and cordial footing.