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4
Deaths.
The total number of deaths occuring amongst residents was 568
(278 males and 290 females). This gives a corrected death rate of
10.93 per thousand of the population which compares favourably with
the country as a whole.
There were 11 infant deaths which gave the lowest infant mortality
rate ever recorded. However, too much significance should not
be paid to this since the numbers are small for statistical purposes.
Each of the 11 infant deaths was carefully investigated with a
view to ascertaining what preventative measures could help to reduce
the incidence in future.
There were no maternal deaths during the year.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 and 1951.
Removal to suitable premises of persons in need of care and
attention.
The amending Act of 1951 makes it possible for the Local
Authority (or the Medical Officer of Health if so authorized) to
apply to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction or to a Justice for an order
for the removal of a person to suitable premises.
Application can be made without giving to the person the period
of seven days clear notice when it is certified by the Medical Officer
of Health and a registered medical practitioner that it is necessary in
the interests of that person to remove him without delay.
Action under these Acts was contemplated on a number of
occasions but in each case the solution was finally found in other
ways.
There is a considerable number of old persons living in the district
alone and uncared for, so that the problem is continually recurring.
The difficulty is not so much to find suitable available accommodation
but to persuade the old people that removal is in their interests.
My experience is that once they have been persuaded to enter
a home or hospital they settle down quickly and rarely wish to return
to the squalor of their former accommodation.
The policy generally is to help them as much as possible in their
own homes and only to resort to the powers given under the National