View report page

41
The essence of the matter is the need for local authorities to
encourage to the fullest extent voluntary efforts to meet the
requirements, both material and psychological, of old people
living in their own homes, to enable them to continue to do so
with whatever assistance may be necessary. With this in view,
preparatory arrangements were made during the year to form an
Old People's Welfare Committee from representatives of all
voluntary and welfare associations in the Borough.
One hundred and twenty-seven cases have been referred to
the Public Health Department during the year. Satisfactory
results in many instances have been achieved through close
co-operation between the Department and general practitioners,
hospitals, district nurses, the L.C.C. Home Help service,
National Assistance Board, etc., but there is still a very pressing
need for an extension of the home help scheme, including
suitable male personnel; the provision of laundry services;
sub-hospital facilities at institutions for the long-stay bed cases
which are beyond medical aid; private cubicles with space for a
few articles of personal furniture in institutions; and some
provision parallel with the former District Medical Officers, for
emergency medical aid for the numerous old people who for one
reason or another are still not registered with a local doctor.
National Assistance Act
Compulsory Removals.
It was not necessary to take any action under Section 47
during the year, although in a number of cases the Department
assisted in arranging voluntary admissions to Institutions.
Burial of the Dead.
During the year, the Council arranged for 18 burials under
Section 50 of the above Act, at a total cost of £145 7s. 0d.
Mortuary
Post mortems without Inquest 1,022
Post mortems with Inquest 207
Inquests without Post mortems —
Inquests, Post mortems held elsewhere 62
Bodies brought in for convenience 3
Infectious disease deaths —
1,294