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25
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Appointments to the Council's permanent staff are subject to
passing a medical examination, which includes a chest X-ray usually
carried out by the permanent mass radiography units at Drayton Park
and Maida Vale. Examinations are normally carried out by the
Medical Officer of Health (or the Deputy Medical Officer of Health in
the case of female staff).
Seventy-three examinations were undertaken during the year.
Thirty-five were in respect of new appointments; 20 were for transfer
to the permanent staff; 13 were special reports required because of
absence through sickness; 2 were for extension of service; 3 were on
behalf of another authority. Six persons were found to be unfit to
carry out their duties and were recommended to be placed on superannuation.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948, SECTION 50
In twenty-three instances the Public Health Department were
called upon to arrange the burial of a person who was either without
any known relative or the relatives were unable to meet the cost of
arranging a private funeral.
The total cost of the burials was £268, 1s. 3d. and of this amount
£217. 10s. 2d. has so far been recovered from the estates of the
deceased, from relatives, or from death grants,
Frequently, the circumstances of these cases are very distressing
and the service rendered by the Department is one which is
generally very much appreciated by the friends and relatives of the
deceased as evidence by the letters received from time to time,
CARE OF THE AGED
Out of the large number of elderly people living in Hampstead,
only a small proportion, estimated at about 5 per cent, of them,
are in need of the services which are provided by the local authorities
or voluntary bodies.
Many old people, particularly those who have been self employed,