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34
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.
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951.
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, provides that seven clear days'
notice must be given to a person, in need of care and attention, before an application
can be made by the local authority to a court of summary jurisdiction for his removal to
and maintenance in a suitable hospital or other place, subject to accomodation being
available.
This Amending Act of 1951 provides an alternative procedure. On a certificate
from the Medical Officer of Health and another registered medical practitioner an order
may be made without prior notice either by a court of summary jurisdiction or by a
single justice for the removal of such person, subject to accommodation being available.
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. Such
cases are those of persons who die in poor circumstances, and, with few exceptions, have
no known relatives.
Hospital Management Committees and Boards of Governors of Teaching Hospitals
have been asked by the Minister to exercise their powers to arrange and pay for the
burial or cremation of such persons dying in hospital. This Circular does 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.
During the year ten cases were dealt with, at a total cost of £94 17s. 6d, of which
£21 13s. Id. was recovered, leaving a net cost to the Council of £67 4s. 5d. The cases
had come to the notice of the Public Health Department from the following sources: —
Italian Hospital 1
Coroner's Officer 5
Friends or Relatives of Deceased 4