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13
Surrey Comity Council - Welfare Department.
This service is concerned with the welfare of aged,
physically and mentally infirm, blind and partially sighted,
deaf and dumb, epileptic and crippled persons and the provision
of temporary accommodation for persons in urgent need
there of. The address of the Welfare Officer for the Borough
is 35, Coombe Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, (KIN,4402).
Surrey County Council - Children's Department.
This Department discharges responsibility for the welfare
of children who have been deprived of a normal home life.
It has important functions in connection with child life protection
and adoption and deals with children taken into or
committed to the care of the County Council, supervision of
foster children, child neglect etc. The Children's Officer
for the Borough works from the County Hall, Penrhyn Road,
Kingston-upon-Thamas.
Surrey Executive Council.
This body is responsible for the provision under the
National Health Service Act of the general practitioner,
dental (other than Local Health Authority provision for
expectant and nursing mothers, young children), pharmaceutical
and supplementary ophthalmic services.. The headquarters of
the Council is at 187, Swell Road, Surbiton, Surrey,
(ELMbridge 5723).
3. 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 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 1956. The problems
associated with aged persons do not diminish,, but fewer
geriatric cases are coming to the notice of the Public Health
Department direct. 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 reports,
continues.
The Superintendent of Kingston Hospital is assisted by a
Geriatrician and Geriatric Health Visitor to whom General
Practitioners are able to refer cases direct, where previously
the intervention of the Medical Officer of Health, Divisional
Welfare Officer, and etc., was sought. The present facilities
for dealing with geriatric cases are improved. The problems
of the provision of additional hospital beds, domiciliary help,
and nursing remain.