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35
Aged Persons.
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, provides that, where certified by
the Medical Officer of Health to be necessary for the purpose of securing the proper care
and attention for persons who
(a) are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from other persons,
proper care and attention,
a local authority may apply to a court of summary jurisdiction for an order to secure the
removal of such aged and infirm persons.
There were no cases arising during the year which called for action under the above
Section by the Public Health Department, but visits were made in connection with the
voluntary removal of aged and infirm persons living alone, to hospitals or other places,
and in connection with the provision for such persons of home nursing and home help
facilities.
Burial of the Dead.
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, places upon the Borough Council
the responsibility of causing to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has
died in the area, or been found dead in the area, in any case where it appears that no
suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body are otherwise likely to be made.
During the year eight cases were dealt with. These had come to the notice of the
Public Health Department from the following sources:
French Hospital 3
London Homoeopathic Hospital 3
Coroner's Officer 2
On 1st March, 1949, the Minister issued Circular 13/49 informing Local Authorities
that he had asked Hospital Management Committees and Boards of Governors of
Teaching Hospitals to exercise their powers to arrange and pay for the burial or
cremation of such persons dying in hospital. The provisions of this Circular do not apply
to voluntary hospitals, of which there are two in the Borough, namely the French Hospital
Shaftesbury Avenue, and the Italian Hospital, Queen Square.