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23
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
Section 47.
The conditions under which several persons, alleged to be in
need of care and attention, were living came under investigation
during the year. In certain of these cases, it was possible, in
collaboration with the County Authorities and other interested
parties, to effect some amelioration of their unhappy circumstances.
In no case was it necessary to apply to the Court for an order for
compulsory removal.
Section 50.
This section of the Act places a duty on the local authority to
arrange for the burial or cremation of the body of any person who
had died, or been found dead in their area, if it appears that no
suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body have, or are
being, made. Expenses incurred by the local authority may be
recovered from the estate of the deceased person, or from any
person liable to maintain the deceased person, immediately prior
to his death.
Although applications were investigated during the year, it was
not necessary to arrange for any burial. The necessity for this
service should decrease following the extension of Death Grants
by the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance announced
early in 1958.
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
The year has seen a considerable increase in the work attributable
to this service. No fewer than 187 bodies were accepted, an
increase of 51 over the corresponding figure for 1956. 88 of these
bodies were received from hospitals and inquests were held in 37
cases.
This work now occupies a considerable proportion of the
disinfector's time. Tribute should here be paid to the excellent
work of the Chief Disinfector and Mortuary Keeper, Thomas
Leonard Back, who fell ill in November. By his untimely death
early in 1958, the Department suffered a great loss. During the
year, the mortuary premises at Beaverwood were decorated
throughout and a telephone installed.
HOSPITAL SERVICES.
Cray Valley Hospital.
Provides a general hospital service with the following beds :—
Maternity 10
Medical 10
Surgical 10
"Section 4" 2
"Section 5" 3