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42
Aged and/or Chronic Sick
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 gives local
authorities power for securing the necessary care and attention for
persons who:-
(a) are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged
infirm or physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary
conditions, and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not receiving
from other persons, proper care and attention.
If the Medical Officer of Health reports to the local authority
after investigation and consideration that he is satisfied that, in
the interest of any such person residing in the area, removal from
the premises would alleviate suffering or injury to health, or
serious nuisance to other persons, the appropriate authority may
make application to a court of summary jurisdiction for the area for
an order for the removal of such person subject to certain other
conditions. Such an order if granted, remains in force for a period
of three months.
This is rather a complicated procedure, but in 1951 the National
Assistance (Amendment) Act was introduced to enable local authorities
to deal with such cases expeditiously. This enables the Medical
Officer of Health or local authority to apply direct to the Court or
J.P. for an order for removal which can be put in operation immediately
but in this case the order remains in force for a period of
three weeks only.
Experience has proved that it is far better to persuade the
person to accept the social services available, or to be admitted to
welfare accommodation voluntarily.
During the year, six cases required consideration. One case
died at home, one was persuaded to enter an institution for the
blind and one was admitted voluntarily to welfare accommodation. The
remaining three cases remain at home under close supervision.
An increase of visits to the elderly is partially due to the
'Pilot' survey undertaken by health visitors. Close liasion with
hospitals continue, 214 written reports were submitted by the health
visitors at the request of different hospitals, relating to elderly
people, either before admission to or following discharge from
hospital.
The care of the elderly is essentially a human problem and
whether home or institutional care is better for any individual
person is a matter for consideration and discussion amongst all
concerned. Acute distress can be caused to old people when removed
from their own homes and near relatives. If they are to have the
latter part of their lives without suffering and distress, the care
of the elderly must always be a matter of human relationship with
their families, their relatives or friends. Whether the relatives