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REMOVAL TO SUITABLE PREMISES OF PERSONS
IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION
Provision is made under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, as
amended by the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, for securing the
necessary care and attention in suitable hospital or other place (e.g. residential
accommodation provided under Part III of the Act) for persons who :
(a) are suffering from 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.
The social welfare officers of both the health and welfare departments direct
their efforts towards preventing such circumstances ever arising. Health visitors
and home nurses play an important part in this work. Nevertheless, cases do arise
from time to time, but seldom is it necessary to invoke these compulsory powers.
Usually supportive home care provided by the two departments enables the
person to remain at home. In those cases where admission is imperative, the officers
generally manage to persuade the person to agree to this course. On three occasions
during the year it was only at the very last moment that the old persons were
persuaded to enter hospital of their own volition and I am pleased to report that
no action under the above legislation was necessary.
LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR INCONTINENT PERSONS
Under the provisions of Section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936, and Section
42 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1956, a free laundry service is provided
for incontinent persons.
The laundry at the Adult Training Centre provides this service for the whole
of the borough.
The service may be utilised on the recommendation of the patient's general
medical practitioner or the home nurse in attendance and a weekly collection and
delivery of laundry is provided.
At the end of the year 17 patients were being provided with this service,
involving the handling of approximately 81 articles per week.
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