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9
National Assistance Act, 1948—Section 47.
In February application was made to a court of summary jurisdiction
for orders under Section 47 of the above Act, to remove to hospital
compulsorily three old people physically incapacitated and living in insanitary
conditions, who were unable to devote to themselves proper
care and attention.
The orders were granted, and one person (aged 82) died on the
following day, another (aged 83) died two weeks later, and the third
(aged 78) returned to her home after three weeks in hospital.
National Assistance Act, 1948—Section 50.
During the year arrangements were made for the carrying out of
18 burials under this -section of the Act.
Public Mortuary.
The arrangements entered into between the Council and the
Hospital Management Committee (Leytonstone, No. 10, Hospital Group)
in September, 1949, for the provision of public mortuary facilities at
Whipps Cross Hospital Mortuary have continued during the year.
Forty-eight post mortem examinations were performed.
Scabies Clinic.
With the co-operation of Hackney Borough Council facilities for
Leyton patients are made available at the Cleansing Centre, Millfields
Road, Hackney, and during the year 11 residents attended for treatment
and made 12 attendances.
Staff—Medical.
Dr. A. W. Forrest, Medical Officer of Health, retired after twentyseven
years' service on 31st May, 1955. There have been no other
changes in the medical personnel, either of the Local Sanitary Authority
or the Local Health Authority during the year.
Staff—Sanitary Inspectors.
The authorised establishment comprises the Chief Sanitary
Inspector, Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector and eight District Sanitary
Inspectors, and although this establishment may be considered to be
adequate to deal with routine day-to-day requirements it is not sufficient
to compensate for vacancies which occur from time to time.
During most of 1954, and for the first six months of 1955, the
technical staff was reduced to five. This depleted staff was almost wholly
employed in dealing with complaints and other matters requiring day to
day attention, which left little time for less urgent work and special
duties. At the time of preparation of this report there are still two
vacancies on the establishment.
Details of a scheme in the recruitment and training of student
sanitary inspectors, as approved by the Council, were given in the report
for 1954. One student was appointed in March and one in June, and
I am pleased to report that both are making good progress.
Housing.
The satisfactory housing of its people is the most rewarding task of
any Local Authority. Nothing can be more conducive to the physical
and mental wellbeing of a family than a decent home.