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Help is given in the Ealing area by the Catholic Women's Guild in repairing torn
and worn linen and clothing, which is greatly appreciated.
FUEL FOR THE ELDERLY AND SICK
A small quantity of coke or coal is available to the elderly and sick when they are
unable to obtain fuel from their usual retailers. This stock of fuel was made available
by the Mayor of Ealing, who advances money from his Fund. Many elderly people
on fixed incomes are unable to build up a stock of coal to last them through the
winter and suppliers are often not in a position to deliver just when it is required.
A charge of 4s. is made for a 28 lb. bag and, if the applicant is able to pay, this money
is then repaid into the Mayor's Fund. Requests for assistance are usually received
through home helps, health visitors and old people's organizations. Fewer calls
were made on this service during the winter, possibly because the weather was less
severe than in other years.
PERSONS IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council has powers
compulsorily to remove to hospital or other place, persons who are:—
{a) suffering from a grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from other
persons, proper care and attention.
Before taking action compulsorily to remove a person to hospital or other place,
every endeavour is made to keep him in his own home by supplying supporting
services such as those provided by home helps, home nurses and the meals-on-wheels
service. In some cases, however, the service is refused or insufficient in that constant
care is necessary and, although the patient does not wish to go to hospital, it is
considered to be in his own interest and often for reasons of his own safety that he
should do so. A great deal, however, can be done by persuasion and explanation
and compulsory removal is carried out in only a tiny fraction of those cases which
are referred. Only when satisfied that there is no other way of keeping the person
in a reasonable state of hygiene and comfort is a court order for compulsory removal
sought. During the past year, it was necessary to remove two persons to hospital.
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