View report page

19
National Assistance Act, 1948.
(a) Section 47. Two persons were dealt with under this section
during the year, both females, aged 80 and 83 years. They were
unable to devote to themselves or receive proper care and attention
and were living in insanitary conditions. Both were removed
to hospital.
(b) Section 50 requires a Local Authority to arrange for the
burial or cremation of a person who has died or been found
dead, and where it appears to the Local Authority no suitable
arrangements are being made for the disposal of the body.
The burial of five persons was dealt with during the year.
They were: —
(1) A male, 79 years, lived in lodgings.
(2) A newly-born female child (murdered) found in a telephone
kiosk.
(3) A male, 85 years, patient in a nursing home.
(4) A male, 46 years, lived in lodgings with a brother.
(5) A male, 76 years, collapsed in a public convenience.
Miss M. J. Copping, the Welfare Officer for Old People, reports as
follows: —
"During 1954, 227 new cases were dealt with. Visits paid numbered
680, and in addition many interviews were given to relatives and a large
number of telephone calls and much correspondence was involved. Cases
were referred by Doctors, Hospital Almoners, National Assistance Board
Officers, other social agencies, relatives and neighbours. Occasionally the
initial step was taken by the old person concerned, but this was rare. Many
were in difficulties which could have been anticipated and almost certainly
prevented had they been known of earlier.
Of the cases referred approximately 90% were chronic sick or mentally
confused persons for whom no hospital beds were available, and who
were either inadequately cared for in their homes, or who were well cared
for by relatives who ultimately broke down under the strain.
Cases referred by Almoners were usually old persons being discharged
home after an acute illness, operation or accident; or out-patients whose
symptoms were thought to be due to their social environment. Domiciliary
services were arranged for most of those persons. During the year 51 of
the cases dealt with were admitted to Hospital; of these 23 died. Seven
of the cases concerned were admitted to Essex County Council Part 3
accommodation and twelve to Private Homes for the aged or to Nursing
Homes. Visits were paid to 43 persons who ultimately died in their own
homes. The average wait for admission to Essex County Council accommodation
was 1 year. Many applicants deteriorated to such an extent
during the waiting period that they had to be re-classified as chronic sick
before a vacancy occurred. As much of the deterioration appeared to be
due to damp rooms, awkward staircases, inadequate cooking facilities, etc.,
earlier admission would undoubtedly have prevented much of it.
Shortage of chronic sick beds was by far the gravest problem, and
in many cases the life of a whole family including young children, was
disorganised or a daughter's valuable services lost to the community when
she gave up a post because a chronic sick person had to be nursed at home.
Some of the saddest cases were related to the general nursing shortage.
Younger persons, desperate for accommodation purchased property with
old persons in residence as protected tenants. Problems inevitably arose.
Other old folk own large houses which they can no longer maintain in a
reasonable state of repair and decoration. In many of these cases an Old
Age Pensioner's Flat would solve the problem. A great deal of my work
now involves the selection of old people for the new flats at Stoneleigh
Court."
The laundry service for cleansing of soiled bed linen and personal
clothing continued to operate throughout the year, proving of invaluable
assistance in the care of very difficult cases.
During the year 37 persons were assisted and 3,570 articles were
laundered.