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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.
The powers available under these Acts are only invoked in extreme cases
as the efforts of the Public Health Department and the social services
are used in the first place to help maintain old people in their own homes.
However, in cases where they are clearly unable to look after themselves
they are usually persuaded to go into a Home or Hospital. If persuasion
fails, and there appears to be no other possible solution it is only then
that recourse is made by the Court. During 1963 it was fortunately not
necessary for the Council to make application to the Court for any Orders
for compulsory removal although a number of borderline cases were dealt
with by the Department.
The facilities available for the elderly continue to develop and
improve. For those who are relatively fit in body and mind, clubs and
recreational facilities are provided by voluntary organisations. For
those who are less fit, the services of Home Helps, District Nurses, and
Health Visitors are available to help the old people to maintain themselves
In their own homes. The "Meals on Wheels" service is one of the many
excellent services provided by the Guild of Social Welfare and the laundry
service for incontinent patients which was recently introduced by the
Council is proving of great value as it reduces the burden on relatives
and enables 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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