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38
MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR LONG-STAY
IMMIGRANTS
Arrangements to cover the special problems which arise in
connection with the health and treatment of long-stay immigrants
to this country have been laid down by the Ministry of Health.
During the year 191 persons were notified to the department
and 95 successfully visited. This not infrequently involved more
than one visit. Some persons were not known at the addresses given
and others, despite repeated visits, had not been contacted by the
end of the year.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948, SECTION 47
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1951
Under this section of the Act as amended by the National
Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, powers are given to the local
authority for the compulsory removal of persons suffering from
grave chronic disease, or who are aged, infirm or physically handicapped
and who are living in insanitary conditions and unable to
devote to themselves and not receiving from other persons proper
care and attention.
Although several cases were visited and investigated during
the year it was not found necessary in any instance to apply for a
removal order as, with the assistance of other interested bodies we
were able to effect improvement in the conditions found to exist.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF STAFF
Staff who are eligible for admission to the Council's Superannuation
Scheme are required to complete a medical questionnaire.
From the information given it is decided whether the
candidate can be regarded as fit, or if it is necessary for a medical
examination to be carried out before a decision is made.
Other examinations are arranged following prolonged sick
leave and in cases of retirement on health grounds; candidates
may also be examined at the request of the Chief Officer to assess
their fitness for employment.
In addition to these examinations of the Council's staff a
similar procedure is carried out for the West Kent Main Sewerage
Board and for the Stockwell Teacher's Training College.
A considerable number of medical examinations take place as
a result of applications by residents in the Borough for admission