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8
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 and 1951.
Removal to suitable premises of persons in need of care and
attention.
No action was taken under the above Acts during the year 1952.
A considerable number of cases were referred to the Health Department
for assistance and the problems were invariably solved in
other ways.
There are two factors which cause difficulties in these cases.
Firstly, there is a real shortage of hospital beds for the chronic sick
and a similar shortage of accommodation in Homes for the Aged.
The shortage is such that only the most urgent cases can be admitted;
the less urgent cases must be assisted as far as possible in their own
homes by the domiciliary services. Secondly, even when suitable
accommodation can be obtained the old people often refuse to be
moved from their homes even though they may be living in the
utmost discomfort. These are the ones who might be compulsorily
removed to suitable accommodation under the National Assistance
Acts, except that if they are not living in insanitary conditions or
not suffering from grave chronic disease no action can be taken.
In really bad cases where suitable accommodation is urgently
required I have invariably had the complete co-operation of the
Physician Superintendent of Kingston Hospital who controls the
beds for the chronic sick, and of the Divisional Welfare Officer who
is concerned with the admittance of old persons to Part III accommodation.
Housing.
During the year 46 houses and 30 flats were added to the Council s
estate, bringing the total of properties owned up to 1642. The future
programme is limited since there is very little more land available
for building purposes.
In the meantime there remains a Waiting List of over 1,500
families, many of whom, are living in overcrowded and unsatisfactory
conditions.
This is a most serious problem which is undoubtedly causing
ill-health and, in particular, mental ill-health, to a greater extent
than is generally appreciated.
It leads to the breaking up of families, to neglect of children, and
is a potent cause of delinquency. It is a national problem which