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26
REMOVAL TO SUITABLE PREMISES OF PERSONS IN NEED OF CARE AND
ATTENTION
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 permits the Council to remove to an Institution
a person in need of care and attention; an Order for removal is made by a court of summary jurisdiction
but seven clear days' notice of an intended application must be given. The National Assistance (Amendment)
Act 1951 permits immediate removal provided the Medical Officer of Health and another registered
medical practitioner certify that it is in the interests of the person to remove him without delay; the
Order in this case can be made either by a court of summary jurisdiction or by a single Justice having such
jurisdiction. The Amending Act modifies the period from three months to three weeks for a person to be
detained in the first instance.
One case was removed under the above Act, viz. Mrs. J. N., aged 77 years. She was living in
appalling conditions, suffering from myocardial degeneration and a severely ulcerated leg. She refused
medical treatment. An application was made on the 29th June, 1966 to a Justice of the Peace for an Order
for her removal. She was admitted to the Central Middlesex Hospital the same day for treatment, but
unfortunately died on 7th July.
Several cases were investigated during the year but it was possible by the provision of additional
services, such as Home Help, Home Nurse, and Meals-on-Wheels, to avoid the necessity of further action.
TEMPORARY CARE AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
In accordance with Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, the Department undertook responsibility
for the care and protection of the movable property of thirteen residents who were admitted to hospital
where it was apparent that no other suitable arrangements were being made. In five other cases, the Department
was able to discharge its duties by arranging for relatives or friends to assume responsibility and to
indemnify the Council accordingly.
At the end of the year, the property of fifteen residents was in store in the annexe of 'Mardale'
Residential Home.
Where a person who is incapable of managing his affairs has money, property, other assets
or liabilities, it may be necessary to apply to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a Receiver.
The Court may appoint the local authority or a relative or friend who is prepared to act. The proceeds of
the estate can be used for extra comforts for the patient whilst in hospital. Proceedings were commenced
for the Borough Treasurer to be appointed as agent under Receivership Orders in two cases.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial or cremation of 29 persons during the year. Fourteen of these were residents of the
Council's residential homes.
WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE COMMUNITY
Various services for elderly people in the community, broadly defined as the provision of meals
and recreation in the home and elsewhere, are provided by the Council under the National Assistance Act
1948 (Amendment) Act, 1962.
Nine luncheon clubs have in recent years been established in various parts of the Borough. A
tenth club, the second in the Wembley part of the Borough, was opened in October and on the three days
per week this new club operates attendances very soon reached the 60 mark. Two-course meals, provided
from school meals kitchens, are served at a charge of 1/3d. and 51,830 meals were served in the ten clubs
in 1966.
The meals-on-wheels service continued to be operated in conjunction with the Women's Royal
Voluntary Services, deliveries being made on two or three days per week. Increased requests for meals in
the Wembley area necessitated another van being used for the service, making six in all on peak delivery
days. Meals are prepared at Kensal Rise Senior Club Kitchen for the Willesden area, and by the school
meals service for the Wembley area. 28,401 meals were delivered in 1966, at the same charge of 1/3d.
The amount of assistance which the school meals service can give is limited, and with the opening
of further lunch clubs and the Council's desire to increase the number of deliveries of meals-on-wheels, the
need has arisen to consider other sources of supply. This matter was under investigation at the end of the
year.
Two full-time social centres for the elderly—Willesden Green and Kensal Rise Senior Clubs entered
their sixth year of successful operation, the former adapted and the latter in purpose-built premises. Each
Senior Club has an enrolled membership approaching 500, who pay a nominal membership fee of 1/- per year.
The amenities provided include rooms for billiards, television, hobbies, reading and spacious main club rooms
for meals, refreshments, whist drives, concerts and other entertainments. Many of the social activities within
the clubs, as well as seaside outings, theatre trips and visits to places of interest, are organised and financed
by the members themselves through their House Committees. A third full-time club, the '49' Club, Church
Road, Willesden, smaller but providing similar amenities, was taken over by the Council from Willesden
Old Folks' Association in April. In the Wembley area, Council finance continued to support two further
full-time centres with similar amenities, but for men only, at Barham Park and Kingsbury Veterans' Clubs,
in premises provided by the Council.