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50 Community Care
Deaf Blind Persons
During 1967 there were three persons on the register who were deaf and blind and two who were
deaf and partially-sighted.
These patients need special attention, and this borough is sharing the services of a specialist Deaf/
Blind Social Welfare Officer who is also employed by the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames.
A special holiday at Littlehampton was arranged for the deaf blind during the summer, and one
person from this borough was included.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
In all 11 persons from this borough now have guide dogs.
Domiciliary Visits
During the year, Social Welfare Officers for the Blind made 1,563 domiciliary visits to blind and
partially-sighted persons.
Middlesex Association for the Blind
This voluntary association continued to give valuable support to the blind and partially-sighted
persons in the borough both by assisting financially and by organising functions of interest. The Association
is also responsible for the Holiday Home at Littlehampton.
Industrial Rehabilitation
In conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, arrangements were made for one person from the
borough to undergo a period of industrial rehabilitation.
PEACE TIME EMERGENCIES
The Council has a scheme for providing temporary shelter for large numbers of people who may
be rendered homeless by fire, flood, air disaster or other emergency. Various halls have been earmarked
for this purpose, but during the year it was not necessary to use any of them.
BURIALS AND CREMATIONS
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, imposes on the Council the duty to arrange for
the burial or cremation of the body of any person who has died or been found dead within the borough,
where no other suitable arrangements have been or can be made for disposal.
During the year the Council became responsible for the burial of 12 persons. The following is a
summary of the action taken.
(a) Cases where funeral expenses have been fully recovered 9
(b) Cases where part only of the expenses have been recovered 1
(c) Cases where full cost has been borne by the Council 2
Nine of these cases were dealt with under Section 50(3) (persons having died in Old Persons' Homes)
and three under Section 50(1) (persons who have died or have been found dead elsewhere in the
borough).
PROTECTION OF MOVABLE PROPERTY
Action was taken under Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, in respect of seven patients
who were in hospital and where no other arrangements could be made.