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 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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66
National Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951
It was necessary to invoke the procedure for the removal to suitable premises without
delay in respect of four elderly persons, 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 sub-section (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 | Reason for Council's Action | Period Named in Order | Type of accommodation to which removed | Ultimate Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | |
| Case No. 1 | Mr. L... 84 years | Known to this Department for a number of years. Advanced Parkinson's disease. On discharge from hospital refused all services, relying solely on elderly wife. In April, 1961, a son removed his mother as the father was very difficult. By September, Mr, L. and his room were in very dirty condition but he still refused services. Following a visit by a Geriatric Physician, an ambulance was called to take him to hospital, but he refused to go. The Medical Officer of Health visited and concurred in the Geriatrician's opinion that Mr. L. should be removed to hospital, and application was accordingly made to a Justice of the Peace for an Order for his removal to hospital. | Not exceeding three weeks | Geriatric Hospital later transferred to Mental Hospital | Died 21. 4. 62 |
| Case No. 2 | Miss H... 84 years | Registered blind.person, rather deaf. Known to Department for a number of years. Received domiciliary services and medical attention, but unwilling to enter a Welfare Home. Special gas ring provided suitable for a blind person. By April, 1961 conditions had deteriorated, but Miss H. was adamant, in her refusal to enter Welfare Home or Hospital. ,She was visited by a Geriatric Physician and the Deputy Medical Officer of Health, who considered that compulsory removal was necessary and an application was there fore made to a Justice of the Peace for an Order for removal to hospital.. | Not exceeding three weeks | Geriatric Hospital | Remained in Hospital. |
| Case No. 3 | Mrs. M... 82 years | Mrs. M. was visited by the Health Officer following a report on 14th December, that she was wandering abroad in her nightdress. Mrs. M. was also visited by her doctor and a Geriatrician. .It was agreed that she needed hospital care, which she refused. She was again found wandering and taken to the Casualty Department of a local hospital, but refused admission. She was therefore seen in the Casualty Department on 15th Decembi by the Medical Officer of Health, who applied immediately to a Justice of thi Peace for an Order for her removal to hospital. | Not exceeding three weeks er e | Geriatric Hospital | Died in Hospital 4 months after admission |