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II. GENERAL PROVISION 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.
This year it was found necessary to apply for four such Orders tinder
this enactment, in respect of old persons who were removed to hospital.
Voluntary admission to a hospital or institution was obtained for 22
other persons.
Two women officers, both State Registered Nurses and one a certificated
Health Visitor, were employed for visiting aged persons in the
Borough, and 2,349 visits were made by these officers during the year.
One officer resigned in July and had not been replaced by the end of the
year.
A Register of all old persons visited is kept in the Department.
.Amendments made to the register during the year were as follows:-
Number on Register at 1st January, 1964 2,543
Additions during the year 501
Removals during the year 237
Number on Register at 31st December, 1964 2,807
The Department continued operating a Laundry Service for the chronic
sick who are unable by reason of ill-health, senility, etc. to keep their
personal laundry and bed linen in a clean condition. During the year,
5,056 articles of bed linen were dealt with.
In order to prevent injury, or danger of injury, to health, Section 43
of the London County Council (General Powers) Act 1953, operated by the
Borough Council, makes provision for the personal cleansing in their own
homes of aged persons who are verminous or otherwise in need of bathing.
1,105 baths were given to 103 old people during the year by the Council's
Home Bathing Service, which was inaugurated in 1950.
Liaison is maintained with statutory and voluntary bodies, e.g. the
Stepney Old People's Welfare Association, London County Council, National
Assistance Board, local Hospitals and particularly with Dr.C.P.Silver, the
local Consultant Geriatrician. An example of liaison which exists, is
that Hospitals notify this Department when an old person is about to be
discharged so that any welfare services can be arranged beforehand, such
as a home help, meals-on-wheels, etc.
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