View report page

11
(b) Smallpox.
No cases occurred in the Borough during the year.
Arrangements are in existence whereby the first cases
that may occur are to be admitted to the Joyce Green Hospital,
Dartford, Kent, after consultation with a named smallpox
consultant. This hospital is always standing by to receive
any such cases within a defined area, which includes Kingston,
and the above arrangements are adequate to cover any initial
emergency action.
(c) General.
The main General Hospital situated in the Borough available
for the district is the Kingston Hospital, Wolverton Avenue,
Kingston-upon-Thames (telephone KINgston 5692). This is a
large comprehensive General Hospital with a full range of general
and special departments.
It has also a busy and highly organised Out-Patient Department
fully supported to meet all surgical, medical, and psychological
emergencies.
2• National Assistance Act, 1948.
National Assistance (Amendment) Act. 1951.
Under Section 47 of the 1948 Act, a Local Authority is
empowered to apply to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, to have
removed to a suitable premises, persons in need of care and
attention.
The 1951 Act enables local authorities to deal more
expeditiously with such persons by facilitating an initial
removal, for a period not exceeding three weeks, during which
time arrangements may be made under the earlier Act for more
prolonged removal, should that be required.
It was necessary to have removed to Hospital without delay
an elderly lady (84) living alone, who being aged, infirm,
physically incapacitated, and living in insanitary conditions,
was unable to devote to herself, and was not receiving from
other persons, proper care and attention. A certificate was
issued by the Medical Officer of Health and another registered
medical practitioner, a Court Order obtained, and the removal
effected. This action was taken under the National Assistance
(Amendment) Act, 1951, and the Order made was valid for a period
not exceeding three weeks.
Subsequently the Town Council authorised application to the
Court for a further Order, for a period not exceeding three months,
under the 1948 Act. This extra action was not necessary, the
old lady remaining in hospital as a voluntary chronic sick patient
after the period of her compulsory removal had expired.
A number of geriatric cases were referred to the Medical
Officer during the year, and suitable advice and action was
arranged in each.
A close working co-operation now exists between the Physician
Superintendent of Kingston Hospital, the Divisional Welfare Officer,
the local doctors, and your Medical Officer. This has facilitated
the gaining of hospital beds for a few of the more needy cases.
Use is also made of powers to ensure that homes are kept in
a good state of repair, and to deal with the cleansing of verminous
persons and effects. The Sanitary Inspectors carry out unremitting
work in this direction, and every reported case of an aged person
living in unsatisfactory conditions receives full investigation.