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to deal with those persons who, because they cannot look after themselves,
are causing injury or nuisance to those living near. These powers
are contained in Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, which
sets out the arrangements for the removal to suitable premises of persons
who (a) are sulfering from grave chronic disease, or being aged, infirm
or physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions, and (b) are
unable to devote to themselves and are not receiving from other persons
proper care and attention. Both conditions must be satisfied before this
section is applicable. The procedure to be followed was that on the
Medical Officer of Health certifying in writing to the Authority that he
is satisfied that in the interests of such person residing in the area of the
Authority, or for preventing injury to the health of or serious nuisance
to other persons, it is necessary to remove such person from the premises
in which he is residing, the Authority could apply to a Court of Summary
Jurisdiction for an Order. The Court if satisfied may order the removal
of the person by an officer of the Authority to a suitable hospital or other
place in or near the area of the Authority. But before the Order is made,
the person managing the premises must be heard, or have been given
seven days' notice of the intended application. Any Order made would
be applicable for three months and the Court could extend the period.
The machinery proved to be cumbersome. Under the new procedure
of the 1951 Amendment Act, if the Medical Officer of Health and another
registered medical practitioner certifies that it is necessary that a person
shall be removed without delay from the place he is living in, an application
for a Removal Order may be made to the Court or to a single justice
without the necessity of giving notice to the person whose removal is
desired, or to the person in charge of him; nor is it necessary that notice
shall be given to the person in charge of the premises to which it is
proposed to remove the person providing that the applicant can show
that the person is willing to receive into the establishment the person
in need of care and attention. An Order made under this machinery
is valid for three weeks only; any application for the extension of an
Order made under this arrangement has to be made under Section 47
of the 1948 Act.
Up to this, no action has been taken in this district under the powers
given by this section. A number of persons throughout the county
have been admitted to County Council homes as the result of such orders.
In most cases they have been content to remain in the homes without
the orders being renewed.
Laundry Service. One of the problems arising from those whose
admission to hospital or institution is desirable but cannot be arranged,
is the soiling of the bedding and the clothing of the incontinent. This
problem occurs more particularly in the aged. There seem to be administrative
difficulties in arranging for something to be done to help. Although
in many cases the problem arises from the inability of the hospital service
to accommodate patients, it would seem, and quite understandably so,
that the hospital authorities cannot assist those who have not been
admitted to the hospital. The Local Health Authority would seem to
have the necessary powers under Section 28 of the National Health
Service Act: " A Local Health Authority, may with the approval of