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39
children are neglected by them. This may betrue in some instances
but on the other hand investigation may shew that there is some
real obstacle such as the housing circumstances of these children
which will not permit them to give shelter to their parents. A
further factor which is often overlooked is the independence of
the old person himself who will carry on long after he should
have had help, and who is reluctant to do anything which in the
slightest way suggests a whittling away of that independence.
There is almost an element of tragedy when one comes across an
old person who steadfastly refuses to accept the services which
are available in the mistaken idea that he will lose something
of his independence by so doing. It is usually this type of case
which becomes the subject of court action under Section 47 of
the National Assistance Act, 1948- The sad thing about this
procedure is that so often the person concerned dies soon after
he or she has been removed, as if the will to live has been lost,
Consequently, one is reluctant to take action, but if conditions
are such as to constitute a serious nuisance or danger to the
individual or other persons then action is taken but only if
persuasion fails.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948 SECTION 47.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 1951.
This Act enables an authority on the certificate of the
Medical Officer of Health, to apply to the Court for an order to
remove a person in need of care and attention to a home or
hospital for a period of up to three months Before granting
the order the Court must be satisfied that certain conditions
laid down in the Act are met
As action under this Act may be protracted, an amending Act
was introduced in 1951 which enables the Medical Officer of
Health under delegated powers to apply to the Court himself
in an emergency, but in this instance a second medical certificate
is required and the maximum period of detention is three weeks.
During theyear sevenpersons were removed under the provisions
of these Acts.
LAUNDRY FOR INCONTINENT AGED.
One of the problems which faces those looking after bedridden
aged persons in their homes is the cleansing of soiled linen and
clothing. Facilities for doing this in the home are usually
lacking and commercial laundries are naturally reluctant to
handle thematerial without prior cleansing- The local authority
has power under Section 122 of the Public Health (London) Act,
1936 tocleanse filthy and unwholesome articles, but the problem