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21
National Assistance Act, 1948 — section 47
Under section 47 of the above Act persons suffering from grave
chronic disease, or who are aged, infirm or physically incapacitated, and
who are living in insanitary conditions and unable to devote to themselves
and not receiving from other persons proper care and attention,
may be removed compulsorily. For this the medical officer of health
must be satisfied, after thorough inquiry and consideration, that in the
interests of any such person or for preventing injury to the health of,
or serious nuisance to, other persons it is necessary to remove that person.
The local authority may then apply to a court of summary jurisdiction
for an order for the removal of the person to a suitable hospital or other
place in, or within convenient distance of, the area of the local authority
and for his detention and maintenance therein.
Several possible cases were investigated during the year but only
one was taken as far as the police court. The matter had to be adjourned,
and as conditions then improved somewhat, further action was withheld.
National Assistance Act, 1948 — section 50
Under section 50 of the above Act, it is the duty of the local authority
to arrange for the burial or cremation of the body of any person who has
died or been found dead in their area if it appears that no suitable
arrangements for the disposal of the body have or are being made.
The local authority can recover expenses incurred from the estate
of the deceased person or from any person liable to maintain the
deceased person immediately before his death. The recovery of expenses
is subject to any payment received by the authority from the Ministry
of National Insurance under the National Insurance Act, 1946.
During the year the Council thus accepted responsibility for the
burial of 23 persons, at a net cost at December 31 of £84 5s. 6½d.
Public Mortuary and Coroner's Court
The premises are situated in Ladywell Road and comprise a court
room, witness room, Coroner's office, caretaker's apartments, and
mortuary.
The number of bodies taken to the mortuary during the year was
523, of which 228 were received from hospitals. 523 postmortem
examinations were made and inquests held in 139 cases.