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11
FATAL ACCIDENTS
During the year under review there were five fatal home
accidents to Enfield residents, which was an encouraging decrease
of 15 on last year's figure. In one case, a boy of fifteen was electrocuted
by a live television aerial. The remainder occurred
amongst elderly people all of whom were over seventy-five years
of age, the precipitating cause of death in three cases being a fall
leading to fractured bones followed by lung complications, and the
remaining death due to accidental coal gas poisoning.
The number of fatal road accidents to Enfield residents was
fifteen, a disturbing increase of ten on the previous year's figure.
Unfortunately, there were also seven cases of suicide (five
male and two female), although this was a reduction of two on the
previous year. In each case death was due to coal gas poisoning.
Two persons were aged between 23 and 44 years and five between
45 and 61 years.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 AND 1951.
No action was necessary during the year under these Acts.
Such cases as were brought to the notice of the Health
Department were dealt with by the Medical Officer of Health in cooperation
either with the Medical Practitioners or Welfare Officer,
and the patients voluntarily agreed to go to Hospital or suitable
Home. Most old people show a natural reluctance to leave
their homes, which sometimes consist of a single room in a dirty
and unhygienic state owing to their inability to look after the
premises. Some should not be living alone, and although we must
not be hasty to criticize, there appears to be in some cases a need
for the awakening of responsibility of the family to its aged members.
In some instances, where reluctance to leave their homes is
encountered, provision of Home Help and District Nurse Services
can be arranged and a careful watch on the situation maintained
by members of the Health Department Staff. Compulsory removal
in the interests of the old person is rarely enforced, as
persuasion usually succeeds in the end.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
The headquarters of this service which comes under the control
of the County Medical Officer, Middlesex County Council, are at
Kenton, Middlesex.