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II. GENERAL PROVISIONS OF HEALTH SERVICES
AGED PERSONS WELFARE.
The Council is empowered by Section 47 of the National Assistance
Act, 1948, as amended by the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951,
to make application to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction for an Order for
the removal to a hospital or institution of any aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated person living in insanitary conditions and who is in need of
care and attention.
During the year, it was necessary to apply for four Removal Orders
and. one Extension Order under this enactment in respect of the following
persons :-
Age Removed to Remarks
Mrs.L.D. 80 Hospital. Order for 6 weeks. (Died).
Mrs.B.B. 67 Hospital. Emergency Order for 3 weeks.
Extension Order for transfer to
Institution. (Died).
Mrs.M.R. 88 Institution. Order for 3 months. (Died).
Mrs.A.B. 70 Institution. Order for 6 weeks. (Still away).
In addition to those persons removed under Magistrate's Orders,
admission to hospital or institution was obtained for 12 other persons.
Two women officers, one of whom is a State Registered Nurse and
certificated Health Visitor, are employed for visiting aged persons in
the Borough, and 4,269 visits were made by these officers during the year.
A register of all old persons visited is kept in the Department.
Amendments made to the register during the year are as follows
Number on register at 1st January, 1960 1,542
Additions during the year 481
Removals during the year 173
Number on register at 31st December, 1960 1,850
In November, 1959, a letter was addressed to some 300 persons and
organisations whose work brings them into contact with old people, e.g.
general practitioners, hospital almoners, voluntary and statutory welfare
organisations, churches, postmasters, members of the Council, etc.,
reminding them of the services available in the Borough for the benefit
of old people. Enclosed with the letter was a small poster, inviting
people to notify the Medical Officer of Health of any old person found to
be in need of care and attention, and a supply of printed postcards for
use in notifying the Medical Officer of Health of any such person.
As a result of this publicity, many new cases needing attention were
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