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National Assistance Act, 1948 — section 47
Under section 47 of the above Act, as amended by the National
Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, 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 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. In order to
enable local authorities to deal expeditiously with certain types of cases,
the procedure required under section 47 of the National Assistance
Act, 1948 has been simplified by the National Assistance (Amendment)
Act, 1951, which enables the medical officer of health to make direct
application to the court, provided there is supporting medical evidence.
Several possible cases were investigated during the year but in
no instance was it necessary to apply to the court for an order for compulsory
removal.
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 accepted responsibility for the burial
of 11 persons, at a net cost of ^51 14s.
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
690, of which 364 were received from hospitals. 690 postmortem
examinations were made and inquests were held in 127 cases.