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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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60
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS
Valuable work continues to be done for elderly persons in a variety of ways,
the Health Officers concerned have visited a very considerable number and have
arranged, where necessary, for the services of home-helps, " meals-on-wheels,"
domiciliary personal cleansing by the Department's staff, laundry service for
incontinent persons, recommendations for holidays or chiropody treatment at either
the London County Council chiropody sessions or at a Chiropody Centre arranged
through one of the voluntary organisations in receipt of a grant from the Borough
Council.
The Health Officer and her assistants visited 538 new cases during the year,
and re-visits totalled 3,818. Three cases were dealt with under the National
Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951, and these are described below.
2,400 references were made to other Authorities and to voluntary organisations
in connection with the provision of " Home-helps," National Assistance, " Meals-onWheels,"
etc.
National Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951.
In 3 instances it was necessary to invoke the procedure for the removal of
persons to suitable premises without delay, in accordance with the provisions of the
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951.
" An order under subsection (3) of section forty-seven of the National
Assistance Act, 1948, for the removal of any such person as is mentioned in
subsection (1) of that , section may be made without the notice required by
subsection (7) of that section if it is certified by the medical officer of health
and another registered medical practitioner that in their opinion it is necessary
in the interests of that person to remove him without delay."
Details of the statutory action taken are given in the following statement which
has been compiled in the form required by the Ministry of Health :—
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) Mr. 0. (81 years) | Despite the efforts of a home-help and a grand— daughter, the home con— ditions and health of Mr. O. gradually deteriorated, and the householders, two elderly ladies, became very concerned about his well-being. Mr. O., who had been on our register of elderly persons since March, 1955, suffered from a heart condition and refused hospital treatment which, in his Doctor's opinion, was necessary. An Order was obtained from a Justice of the Peace. | Not exceeding three weeks | General Hospital | Remained in hospital as a voluntary patient after 3 weeks expired. Deceased one month after admission. |
| (2) Mrs. T. (79 years) | Mrs. T's plight was brought to our notice by her doctor, who was of the opinion that it was necessary for her to go to hospital. This | Not exceeding three weeks | General Hospital | Remained in hospital as a voluntary patient. |