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10
A satisfactory solution is generally arrived at without resort to
compulsion.
Under the National Assistance Act, 1948 and the Amendment Act,
1951 the Medical Officer of Health can apply to the Court or to a
Magistrate for a compulsory Removal Order which has the effect of
placing and detaining the patient in hospital or home.
In March my attention was drawn to the case of an old woman
who was living alone in one room and was neglecting herself. Both
she and her accommodation were becoming filthy and, at times, she
wandered about the district, lost herself, and had to be returned home
by the police.
On three occasions she had agreed to enter a Home but each time
the car arrived for her, she refused to go.
She was clearly in need of care and attention and in these circumstances,
application was made to a Magistrate for a Removal Order.
The Order was granted and the old person was removed to Kingsmead
the same day.
Laundry Service.
A laundry service for incontinent patients is provided which considerably
reduces the burden on relatives and makes it possible for
them to nurse at home a patient who would otherwise have to be
admitted to hospital. The service is confined exclusively to incontinent
patients and articles laundered are limited to sheets and draw sheets.
This Service is provided twice weekly throughout the year. Soiled
sheets are collected on Tuesdays and Fridays and at the same time
an appropriate number of laundered sheets is delivered to the house.
A charge of sixpence per sheet is made which is covered by a supplementary
allowance for those in receipt of National Assistance. The
charge has not been known to cause hardship.
The service continues to be of great benefit to those who use it,
and similar arrangements are now being made in other parts of Surrey.
During the year ending 31st December, 1963, 2,043 sheets were
issued and laundered.