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45
Although this power is useful it was not found necessary to enforce the removal
of a person under a Court Order in 1949. The main problems of elderly persons
arise under other headings. The elderly chronic sick may, owing to shortage of
hospital beds, have to wait many weeks or even longer before being admitted to a
chronic sick bed after being placed on the waiting list. Many of these elderly
persons must therefore remain at home under unsuitable circumstances even though
willing to enter hospital, and suffer further physical and mental deterioration due
to the fact that sufficient care and attention cannot be provided at home. The
services of a Home Help and the District Nurse are useful, but obviously can only be
part-time, and elderly persons frequently have no relative at all or no physically
capable relatives to assist in their care. Many of them depend entirely upon the
attentions and favours of good-hearted neighbours. In many cases there is some
malnourishment as the persons are not able to prepare meals for themselves and
assistance by others is only intermittent. Useful assistance for invalids (including
elderly invalids) is given by the mobile meals service of the Invalid Kitchens of
London, who provide a special dietary service for sick persons on medical
recommendation.
Another difficulty encountered is that there have been many instances of absence
of medical attention for these elderly persons. Although they are of course entitled
to medical attention under the National Health Service Act, a number of them have
been found, when needing medical attention, not to have registered with any doctor.
They are not aware of the minor formalities which have to be carried out in this
connection and there may not be any person to act on their behalf. In
such cases the officers of the Public Health Department have informally assisted by
passing on the appropriate particulars of the person, such as the National Registration
Number, etc., to the London Executive Council, but even there the difficulty does
not necessarily end, since reliance must be placed upon a neighbour or other person
to make the actual call for the doctor to attend. It is clear that there is a need for
visitors such as those from an old people's welfare association to keep in constant
touch with elderly persons who fluctuate so rapidly between a state of relative
normal health and ill health.
Public Mortuary.
No bodies were received pending burial during the first quarter.
By agreement with the St. Pancras Borough Council the use of the Council's
Mortuary was discontinued as and from 31st March, 1949, all bodies being received
at the St. Pancras Mortuary, Camley Street, N.W.I, after that date.
Islington Crematorium.
There were 211 cremations during the year at the Council's Crematorium, East
Finchley, all of which were certified by the Medical Referee or Deputy Medical
Referee.