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REGISTRATION OF DISABLED PERSONS'
OR OLD PERSONS' HOMES
Section 37 of the National Assistance Act 1948 requires disabled persons' and old persons' homes to
be registered by the Council. There are three private old persons' homes on the register — 22, St. Gabriel's
Road, N.W.2 accommodating 16 men and women; 28, Sedgecombe Avenue, Kenton accommodating 8 women;
and 39, Sedgecombe Avenue, Kenton accommodating 6 women. A voluntary home for 30 elderly men is
maintained by the London Transport Executive (Retired Employees) Housing Association at 100, Forty
Avenue, Wembley.
The Royal London Society for the Blind maintains a residential club for 14 blind men at 63, Christchurch
Avenue, N.W.6 and a similar establishment for 14 blind women at 32, The Avenue, N.W.6. The Royal
National Institute for the Deaf maintains a hostel for 16 deaf youths at 11, Forty Avenue, Wembley.
All these homes are inspected at regular intervals and a high standard is maintained.
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 given by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction,
but 7 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.
Two cases were removed under the above Act. Miss W, aged 56 years, was living in insanitary
conditions and was suffering from arthritis, diabetes, and an ulcerated leg. She refused medical treatment and
an application was made on the 2nd March, 1967, to a Justice of the Peace for an Order for her removal. She
was admitted to the Central Middlesex Hospital on the same day for treatment and was discharged home on
the 30th May, 1967. Mrs. M. H. aged 68 years, was living in appalling conditions, the house was dirty and in
a poor state of repair. She suffered from haemorrhoids and was incontinent and refused medical treatment. An
application was made on the 13th May, 1967, to a Justice of the Peace for an Order for her removal. She
was admitted to one of the Council's residential homes at 5-9, Freeland Road, W.5 on that day and has settled
down there.
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 27 residents who were admitted to hospital when
it became apparent that no other suitable arrangements were being made. In 10 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 21 residents was in store in the annex 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 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 a
relative to be appointed as agent under receivership orders in 2 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 32 persons during the year. Twenty-two 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.
Ten luncheon clubs have in recent years been established in various parts of the Borough. Twocourse
meals, provided from school meals kitchens, are served at a charge of 1/3d. and 61,443 meals were
served in the ten clubs in 1967.
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. Six vehicles are in use on the
service on peak delivery days. Meals are prepared at Kensal Rise Senior Club for the Willesden area, and by
the school meals service for the Wembley area. 32,854 meals were delivered in 1967, 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. Ways and means of increasing the supply of meals, including
the possibility of establishing a central kitchen for old people's meals services, were under active investigation
during the year.