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For this reason, future steps must be planned with a greater
emphasis on domicilary care to prevent rather than remedy
the appalling results of protracted loneliness and neglect. An
extension of the institution scheme to provide sub-hospital
medical facilities, and a system of regular and frequent home
visiting of all old people, are necessary steps which will probably
be instituted in the near future.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT
Compulsory Removals.
During the year, two cases were dealt with under Section
47, which provides for the removal of persons in need of care and
attention. Both of these cases were found to be infirm, living
under insanitary conditions owing to neglect, in need of proper
care and attention, and with no known relatives. Both of
these persons—a woman aged 88 and a man aged 78—had
refused to enter an institution voluntarily, and Court Orders
were made in January and September respectively, for their
removal to an institution for three months. At the end of
this period, they were found to have settled comfortably in the
institution, and no extension of the Orders was necessary.
In addition to the above, a number of cases in similar
circumstances were admitted to various institutions voluntarily.
Burial of the Dead.
During the year, the Council arranged for 23 burials under
Section 50 of the above Act, at a total cost of £174 l1s. 6d.
In July, 1949, the Death Grant Scheme came into operation, by
which the Borough Council is enabled to claim a proportion
of the normal sum payable, for burials undertaken by the
council.