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The operation of laundering is carried out by handymen attached to the department.
With an ever increasing ageing population I have no doubt that the service will be used
to an even greater extent as time goes on, with a consequent increased pressure on equipment,
especially drying facilities.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION OF BEDDING
Two years ago I reported to the Public Health Committee that the steam disinfector
was no longer serviceable and recommended that we entered into an arrangement with the
neighbouring Borough of Walthamstow whereby they carried out disinfection or disinfestation
for this department. This recommendation was adopted and since that time the
facilities have been available to us. During 1958 only on one occasion was it necessary
to take advantage of the arrangement.
This "silent revolution* indicates a vastly improved socio-economic state and a more
enlightened attitude towards ordinary hygiene.
There is no doubt that costly methods of disinfection or disinfestation are no
longer necessary to be set up by small authorities and that the availability of one such
unit between authorities is the most economical-method of dealing with the occasional
demand that is likely to arise.
SCABIES AND VERMINOUS CONDITIONS
With the co operation of Hackney Borough Council facilities are made available at
the Cleansing Centre, Millfields Road Clapton for the treatment of Leyton patients
suffering from scabies or verminous conditions. During the year only two cases involving
five treatments were necessary,
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948
SECTION 47
It was not necessary to make application to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction for any
order under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act,, 1948, during the year.
Visits were made to quite a number of cases where such an action had to be considered,
however with the co-operation of the personal health services of the Local Health
Authority, the County Welfare Department and Duly Authorised Officer, arrangements were
satisfactorily made for the patients welfare and no court action was necessary. These
cases are extremely time consuming and in one case in particular, I estimate that before
a satisfactory solution of the problem was effected, my staff, the Duly Authorised Officer
and myself expended 100 hours of time. However, in my opinion, this expenditure of man
hours is worthwhile compared with having a patient admitted to accommodation against their
will. Eccentricity of age combined with illness can be an extreme barrier to common sense
and reason and it must be expected that constant visits are necessary to gain the confidence
of persons of this nature.
SECTION 50
During the year it was necessary to carry out 23 burials under this section of the
Act. This compared with a figure of 21 for 1957 shows a small increase. It is unpredictable
as to how many such cases will qualify for burial by the Local Sanitary Authority
during any one year.
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