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41
Section 47 of the Act enables the Court on the application of the
Medical Officer of Health to grant an order for the removal of a person
to a Welfare Home or Hospital. This Section can be invoked for the
compulsory removal of a person who (a) is suffering from grave chronic
disease or being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated, is living in
insanitary conditions, and (b) is unable to devote to himself and is not
receiving from others proper care and attention.
It was not found necessary to take action under this Section of the
Act during the year. My attention was brought to the case of an elderly
woman who was living in very poor circumstances in old property subject
to a Closing Order. These elderly people are often very unco-operative
and suspicious of any offers of help and assistance made to them—this old
lady was no exception! However, after several visits with the Chief Public
Health Inspector and the Area Welfare Officer she was persuaded to
accept a vacancy in one of the County Council's old people's homes, and
no action under Section 47 was required. I may add that this is the usual
pattern in dealing with this type of case. Every effort is made to solve the
problem by using the Home Help Service, the Home Nursing Service and
the help provided by voluntary bodies, etc., and only invoking action
under Section 47 as a last resort when everything else has failed.
For administration of the Welfare Service the County is divided in
the same ten areas as for the County Council's functions under Part III of
the National Health Service Act. Each has an Area Welfare Officer
acting under the supervision of the Chief Welfare Officer for the County.
The area officer for this district is Mr. H. G. Plummer, Kynaston Court,
Boxtree Road, Harrow Weald. (Telephone No. Grimsdyke 3131).
The Aged
The care of the aged is an ever increasing problem, which taxes the
energies and the resources of both the statutory authorities and the
voluntary agencies who devote much of their time to helping this section
of the population. The services available in the Borough through various
agencies consist of:—
(1) Luncheon Clubs.
(2) Meals on Wheels.
(3) Holiday Scheme.
(4) Window Cards—for display in case of emergency.
(5) Chiropody.
(6) Laundry Service.
(7) Domestic Help.
(8) Home Nursing.
(9) Visiting of Housebound.
(10) Social clubs.