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nent patients and articles laundered are limited to sheets and draw
sheets.
During 1960, 39 new patients availed themselves of the service.
Of these, 10 have since died, 11 have been removed to hospital, and
14 discontinued the service. At the end of the year 4 cases only were
continuing the service.
During the year, 2,183 sheets were washed.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948—SECTION 47.
In many cases old people create their own difficulties by refusing
to leave their homes when they can only be properly cared for in
hospital or other suitable accommodation.
A satisfactory solution is generally arrived at without resort to
compulsion but in one case the Council took action under the above
Act.
This was the case of an elderly woman who had lived for many
years in one room in a large house. She was suffering from arthritis
and cerebral arteriosclerosis and had become bedridden. She suffered
from delusions at night-time and became very noisy, disturbing other
members of the household. On more than one occasion she was found
lying on the floor unable to return to her bed.
She had the daily assistance of a Home Help and a District Nurse
but it was clear that she could not be properly cared for in her own
home.
She refused to consider admission to hospital and accordingly
application was made to a Magistrate for a Removal Order. This
was granted and the patient was removed to Kingston Hospital where
she settled reasonably well, but refused to relinquish the tenancy of
her room as she continued to hope that she would be able to return
home. In due course application was made for an extension of the
Order for a further period of three months. This was granted and
thereafter the patient remained voluntarily in hospital.