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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948—SECTION 47
This provision authorises the Medical Officer of Health to effect the compulsory removal to a
suitable place of any person who by reason of age, illness or infirmity is living in insanitary conditions
or is unable to care for himself, and is not receiving such care from others. It was not necessary to
take such action during 1972.
A problem drawn increasingly to the attention of the department is the elderly person who
begins to act in an eccentric way so that neighbours and friends fear for her safety. The property and
garden is often untidy but rarely a hazard to health whilst the elderly person is often reasonably
mobile and showing no obvious signs of illness. Nevertheless the interior of the house leaves room
for doubt about the person's ability to cope without help, although offers of assistance are frequently
refused. Although approaches are made to various health and social agencies to resolve the problem
either under this section or under the Mental Health Act the circumstances rarely justify such an
initiative and there is often little that can be done except to observe a situation which is inherently
a deteriorating one and to provide such support as the elderly person will permit.
The concept of an observation register, first developed within the child health service, has been
applied to elderly persons who may ultimately require action under Section 47 of the National
Assistance Act. Although the register is not yet fully functional the assistance of health visitors,
home nurses and public health inspectors is beginning to produce benefits. Reports are normally
requested at three monthly intervals since any deterioration usually develops very slowly. Excellent
rapport has long been established with the hospital geriatrician and his staff who are most helpful
in a crisis, and who recognise the value of this early warning system.
During 1972 there were 18 names added to the register, and 11 were removed. Of those on
the register two were admitted to Council homes, two to geriatric wards and six died. At the end of
the year a total of 23 names remained on the register. In the case of one couple the home nurse was
experiencing great difficulty over the problem of the wife's incontinence. With the co-operation
of the hospital laundry, and the environmental section of the health department a temporary incontinent
laundry service was arranged. The sudden death of the husband a few days after the commencement
of this service followed by the admission of the wife to a geriatric ward brought to an
abrupt end an arrangement whose preparation had been necessarily time consuming.
NURSING HOMES
One hospital in the Borough is subject to registration under the Public Health Act 1936 and is
visited by officers of the Department from time to time for advice and inspection.
There are no private nursing homes in the Borough.
NURSING AGENCIES
The single nursing agency in the Borough was closed during the year.
MASSAGE AND SPECIAL TREATMENT
Premises used for the reception and treatment of persons requiring massage or other special
treatment are licensed under the provisions of the Middlesex County Council Act 1944. They are
inspected regularly by a principal medical officer.
Included in this category are certain beauty establishments which hitherto have operated in
conjunction with hairdressing salons. The cult of the sauna has blossomed with amazing rapidity
throughout the world and seems to have a particular appeal for business men and travellers. Sauna
baths are therefore becoming an essential part of the modern hotel service.One of the largest
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