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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948 - CARE OF THE AGED
Under Section 47 of the above Act, power is given to the Councils of
County Boroughs and County Districts to apply to a Court of Summary
Jurisdiction for an Order for removal and detention, in a suitable hospital
or other place, of 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.
The 1951 National Assistance (Amendment) Act enables Local Authorities
to deal more expeditiously with very urgent cases by initial removal, for
a period not exceeding three weeks.
A number of border line cases were brought to the notice of the Public
Health Department for investigation during 1962 but fortunately it was not
found necessary for the Council to make application to the Court for any
Orders for compulsory removal. All necessary help and advice was given in
each individual case investigated, and every effort made to improve the
conditions found upon inspection.
Although the care of the aged still presents a considerable problem an
increasing amount continues to be done for them but in many cases the old
people create their own problems by refusing to co-operate. The District
Nurses and Home Helps play an important part in the care of elderly persons
in their own homes and the voluntary services such as the Guild of Social
Welfare do excellent work with their many services such as "Meals on Wheels",
Old Peoples Clubs etc. A laundry service for incontinent patients is another
service recently provided for the elderly which considerably reduces the
burden on relatives and makes it possible for patients to be nursed at home
who would otherwise be admitted to hospital.
The close liaison which has been established between the Geriatric
Department of St. Helier Hospital, the Guild of Social Welfare, the General
Practitioners and your Medical Officer of Health continued and strengthened
throughout the year.
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