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25
Burial of the Dead.
The National Assistance Act, 1948, also places upon Local
Authorities the duty of providing for the interment or cremation of
bodies when no other arrangements are being made. There is now
only a small percentage of the population not covered by "Death
Grants" which enable funeral expenses to be met.
A few applications for burial were received, usually in respect
of persons living alone and with no known relations. Enquiries in
these cases are often extensive, but in only one of those investigated
in 1961. was it necessary to register the death and to proceed with
the interment.
NURSING HOMES.
There was no change in the number of registered Nursing
Homes during 1961.
The Homes were inspected at frequent intervals during the
year, but at no time were any contraventions found which called
for action on the part of the local authority.
In the main, the beds are occupied by aged sick or aged infirm
patients.
Details of the Homes on the register at 31st December, 1961,
are as under:—
Address Number of Beds.
"Fallowlield," Ashfield Lane, Chislehurst 40
"Glenthorne," 24, Lower Camden, Chislehurst 12
"Hatherley," 12, Hatherley Road, Sidcup 9
"Redhill House,'' Redhill, Chislehurst 7
"The Retreat," Lower Camden, Chislehurst 4
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
Work connected with the reception of bodies into the Mortuary
after sudden death from street accidents or from hospitals, etc.
accounts for a considerable and increasing proportion of the Disinfector's
time. Bodies must be prepared, firstly for post mortem
by a pathologist, and subsequently for the undertakers. Much of
this work is of an urgent nature and priority has to be given to it.
The Mortuary, which has refrigerated accommodation for six
bodies, together with the Coroner's room, where formal inquests
are held, is situated at the Council's depot at Beaverwood Road,
Chislehurst.
During the year, 215 bodies passed through the Mortuary (182
in 1960 and 138 in 1959). Of these 102 arrived from hospitals and
20 inquests took place.