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12
("b) Smallpox.
No cases occurred in the Borough during the year.
Arrangements are in existence whereby any case of smallpox
or suspected smallpox can "be transported "by the London
County Council Ambulance Service to special isolation.
(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 busy and highly organised Out-Patient
Departments fully supported to meet all surgical, medical,
and psychological emergencies.
2. National Assistance Act 1948.
National Assistance (Amendment) Acta 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 suitable premises, persons in need of
care and attention.
The 1951 Act enables local authorities to deal more
speedily with very urgent cases by initial removal, for a
period not exceeding three weeks.
It was not necessary to use these powers in respect
of any person resident within the Borough during 1954.
The problems associated with aged persons do not diminish,
and a number of geriatric cases came to the notice of the
Public Health Department during the year. All necessary
help and advice was given in each individual case, and
everything done to improve the conditions found upon
inspection.
The close co-operation between the Physician
Superintendent of Kingston Hospital, the Welfare Officer,
local Doctors and your Medical Officer of Health,
mentioned in my last report9 continues. During the year
a Geriatrician was appointed to the medical staff at
Kingston Hospital and this welcome addition t© the team
will assist 10, the solution of some of the pressing
problems which occur in connection with aged persons in
need of medical attention.