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In these circumstances it is unfortunate that the year has passed without
progress being made upon the re-development of St. Paul's Church Site.
This joint venture of the Essex County Council Welfare Committee and
ourselves in a serious attempt to provide essential housing accommodation
for the aged and sick is urgent and many old people are gravely disappointed
with the delay.
It will be some time before such ideal conditions are attained, and in the
meantime the problem has to be dealt with, using the services we have
available. It is right and proper that the care and attention required by
persons who by reason of age or infirmity, are unable to look after themselves,
should come from their own family and in general this is found to be
the case. Cases do arise, however, when children are heedless of their obligations
to their parents, or where the old folk have no relatives; in such cases
the Local Authority has to intervene.
In many instances, it is possible to assist by arranging for domestic
helps to give aid in the house. This appears to be the most satisfactory
method, as old people generally are loth to leave familiar surroundings and
prized possessions.
In other instances conditions in the home may be so bad or the old
person's health and habits may be such, that removal to hospital is necessary.
In such cases action under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948,
may need to be taken to do this compulsorily.
During 1951 action was taken in respect of one woman and three men
who were unable to devote to themselves proper care and attention, and
were not receiving such attention from other persons. All gave their consent
to removal to hospital so that formal application to the Magistrates was not
necessary.
There were also twelve aged and infirm persons notified to the Essex
bounty Council in the hope that they could be dealt with by that Welfare
Authority.
burial or cremation of the dead
During the year the bodies of two deceased persons were disposed of
' ■ burial in accordance with the duties of the Local Authority under Subsection
(I) 0f Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948.
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