London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 AND 1951
Section 47 Care of the Aged
Investigations were made during the year of the living conditions of seven
persons of retirement age. In one case it was found necessary to obtain a
Magistrate's Order under the Act.
The source of information and action taken are sh0own in the following table:-
| Reported by | No. of cases | ACTION TAKEN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voluntarily removed to hospital or institution | Kept under observation at home together with the provision of various types of help | Deceased | ||
| Chiropody clinic | 2 | 2 | - | - |
| Health officers | 3 | 1 | 2 | - |
| Neighbour | 1 | - | 1 | - |
| 6 | 3 | 3 | - | |
The remaining case (No.212) was one in respect of which it was found
necessary to obtain a Magistrate s Order under the National Assistance Acts.
The case was first brought to the notice of the Council in October, 1955.
Mrs. J. aged 84, was not without financial means and owned the house in which
she lived. The services of a home help were afforded throughout, together with
the provision of dinners, in an effort to enable the woman to remain in her own
home„
Unfortunately conditions deteriorated Mrs, J refused to wear warm clothing
or to eat adequate food and wandered into the street not properly clothed.
Her removal to an institution therefore became necessary but she refused
to allow arrangements to be made. The provisions of the Acts were invoked and
Mrs. J was removed to Luxborough Lodge on the 9th October 1956, I have visited
her there on two occasions. She remains disorientated and unfit to look after
herself.
Section 50 - Burials
During the year 1956 the department carried out 80 burials at a gross cost
of £824. 8s. 7d which represents an average of £10. 6s. 1d per burial.
£772. 5s. 9d was recovered from the following sources:-
£ s. d
Hospitals 320. 0. 7
Death grants 166. 6. 1
Assurance Companies 89.7. 1
Private persons 62. 9.11
Employers 35.18. 2
Ministry of National Insurance 26. 3. 7
National Assistance Board 3.14. 5
Post Office Savings 6. 1
Treasury Solicitor 9.19. 0
Coroner's Officers 38. 9.10
Nigerian Government 11. 1. 0
Sale of Effects 8. 10. 0
40