London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Aged and Infirm—Action taken under Statutory Powers
| Name and Age | Reasons for Council's Action | Period Named in Order | Type of accommodation to which removed | Ultimate Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) |
| (1) Miss B. (72 years) | Miss B. has been the subject of previous statutory action in 1953 and 1954, and in January, 1955 was in a Welfare Home as the result of an extended Order. She was in a frail state of health and her home of one room was insanitary with a serious fire risk from an oil stove used for cooking. It was obvious that if released from the Welfare Home, Miss B. would not be able to care for herself adequately. | Not exceeding three months | Transferred to mental hospital. | |
| A Magistrate, upon hearing evidence from the Deputy Medical Officer of Health, further extended the terms of the Order (as amended) for a period of three months. | ||||
| (2) Miss B. (95 years) | Since 1950 this aged person had been regularly visited by Officers of the Department and had been the subject of sustained efforts to assist in her well-being. It became evident that, despite the good work from a home help, Miss B. had difficulty in caring for herself. Late in the year she had a fall in the street and it was considered inevitable that she should be moved to hospital, but she still refused to leave home. An Order was eventually obtained from a Justice of the Peace but the patient entered hospital voluntarily before this Order could be formally served. | Not exceeding three weeks | General Hospital | Returned home and entered welfare home on own volition. Deceased three weeks after admission. |
| (3) Mr. I. (94 years) | This man and his wife had been known to the Department for a long time. The Department, through the Council's Health Officer for Old People, endeavoured to organise action towards this couple's well-being and, amongst other things, contacts had been made with relatives, the general practitioner, National Assistance Board, L.C.C. Home Help Service and a neighbour. The wife, becoming seriously ill. entered hospital, leaving Mr. I. alone, confined to bed. He had fallen out of bed several times and it was considered expedient he should go to suitable premises where he | Not exceeding three weeks | General Hospital | Deceased day after admission. |