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that no old person requiring help of any kind will be
unable to obtain adequate assistance, I need not say
that this is a gigantic task.
The Friern Barnet Urban District Council has
always been generous in providing funds for this essential
work. Quite apart from funds, it is abundantly clear
that the Council looks upon this work as significant
and worthy of all possible support. I am personally
satisfied that, although much remains to be done, the
work being carried out in Friern Barnet might in many
ways be regarded as a true example of what can be
achieved in this fertile field.
I have been deeply impressed by the vast amount
of work relative to the welfare of the aged being carried
out by the Urban District Council, by voluntary organisations
and by individuals in Friern Barnet. As I have
already stated the Old People's Welfare Committee co-ordinates
this work in a truly admirable manner.
National Assistance Act 1948.
Section 47. Removal to suitable premises of persons in
need of care and attention.
No formal action was taken under this section
during the year.
It is never pleasant, and very often most unprofitable,
to take action under Section 47 of the National
Assistance Act, 1943. Persons, almost invariably very
aged persons, removed to an institution against their
will seldom seem to derive practical benefit from such
removal. Indeed, the removal very often seems to be
followed by early death. For this reason, every
effort is made to persuade individuals who are either a
danger to themselves or to other people, and who should
be cared for in a home or institution, to agree to
voluntary removal. Up to the present, we have been
able to obtain this consent in every case. This is
seldom an easy task, taking up a great deal of time and
requiring infinite patience. But one must remember
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