Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 and 1951
Section 47 (Removal of Persons in Need of Care and Attention)
(a) Two persons a man and wife, both in the middle seventies, were
removed to an Old People's Home under the National Assistance (Amendment)
Act, 1951
They had been brought to my notice in September 1962 by relatives.
Close contact was maintained with them and their own doctor until it was
considered impossible for them to continue to live on their own An Order
was sought and made in February 1963.
Ten old persons were brought to notice for the first time during the
year, and of these, one died at home (within days of coming to notice end
before action could be taken), eight managed at home, some with varying
types of statutory and voluntary assistance, and one was admitted to
hospital and died during the year,
Twenty old people continued to be followed up from previous years,
and of these, six were removed to hospital, of whom four died during the
year, and one was later transferred to an Old People's Home. One was
admitted to an Old People's Home, one went to live with relatives, and
twelve continued to live at home, of whom one died during the year.
(b) General
Local Health Authority Services, such as the District Nursing and
Home Help Services, help to keep old people in their own homes as long
as possible. In addition, the Old People's Welfare Committee of the Council
of Social Service also do a great deal to help old people remain in their
homes as long as possible They provide Meals on Wheels, and a visiting
service for old people, which it is hoped will be expanded. They also run
a chiropody service for old people, the cost of which is reimbursed by the
Surrey County Council
The severe winter at the beginning of 1963 put a great strain on
elderly people, especially those living alone Lack of fuel through
difficulties of distribution causedby road conditions caused danger to life
as well as causing frozen pipes, frozen toilets, etc. Shopping for food was
also difficult and dangerous The Old People's Welfare Committee
arranged to have a stock of fuel available should similar conditions
apply in future years.
Subscriptions were being received at the end of the year for the
proposed new Housing Society, end a Housing Committee will come into
being early in 1964.
Visits were paid by members of the Old People's Welfare Committee
to a Day Centre for Old People with a view to assisting in planning a new
Day Centre locally.
At the end of the year a Bedford utility brake was purchased to assist
in the transport of elderly and handicapped persons and will come into use
in January 1964,
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