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Assistance Act, 1948, by a new Section giving local authorities wider
powers, enabling them—
(i) to make arrangements for providing meals and recreation for
old people in their homes or elsewhere, including the employment
of voluntary organisations (whose activities consist in or include the
provision of such meals or recreation) as their agents for the purpose;
(ii) to impose charges for any service provided under the Section,
either generally or in particular cases;
(iii) to assist voluntary organisations to provide meals or
recreation for old people by—
(1) contributing to their funds;
(2) permitting them to use premises belonging to the local
authority on such terms as may be agreed;
(3) making available furniture, vehicles or equipment
(whether by way of gift, loan or otherwise) and the services of
any staff who are employed by the local authority in connection
with the premises or other things which they permit the organisation
to use.
The Act came into force on 24th May, 1962.
The Council's powers under the original provision of the 1948 Act,
with regard to the making of arrangements for meals and recreation
for old people, were referred to the Public Health Committee, and the
City Council, at its meeting on 26th July, 1962, agreed that these new
wider powers should also be referred to that Committee.
Aged Persons in Need of Care and Attention
Under the provisions of the National Assistance Acts, a Medical
Officer of Health is empowered to apply to the Courts for an order for
the compulsory removal to a hospital or other suitable place, of persons
who are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or
physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions and unable
to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from others, proper care
and attention.
Several cases of this kind were investigated by the medical officers
during 1963 but fortunately it was not found necessary to resort to
these compulsory powers.
Aged and Infirm Persons
Much of the visiting of the aged and infirm is done by the Westminster
Old People's Welfare Association social worker. There are many
occasions, however, when a visit by a Medical Officer or a Public Health
Inspector is required, because of their specialist knowledge or statutory
powers.
Three hundred and forty-five such visits were made during the year.