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She was active, the house was clean. She did not wish to go away,
and the matter had never previously been put to her. According to
the relative, the old lady was not well, but although her doctor
visited, he had never examined her. Upon writing to the doctor
for a clinical opinion, no reply was received. When telephoned, he
confirmed that he was in attendance upon the old lady, but said that
he could express no opinion upon her condition, insofar as it might
relate to admission to hospital or institution. In view of the circumstances,
it was decided that no action was indicated in this case.
Case No. 4.
This was initiated by a letter from a person who let rooms to an
old lady. Upon visiting, it was discovered that life had been made
very difficult for the old lady. Although it had been alleged that
her circumstances were insanitary, they were not so. Unknown to
the informants however, was the fact that she was suffering from a
grave chronic disease. The old lady was unable properly to look
after herself and she was receiving no adequate attention from
other persons. Her doctor confirmed that she was suffering from a
grave chronic disease, that she had been an in-patient in a hospital,
that she was continuing to attend there as an out-patient, and that
he had failed in his efforts to have her re-admitted.
When the matter was put to the lady, she refused to go to
hospital or to have home help, and it was decided to invoke the
National Assistance Act, 1948. Being advised that there was no
power delegated under the National Assistance Act which would
have enabled the Chairman and Medical Officer of Health to
initiate action, the case had to await the approval of the next
meeting of the Health Committee.
In the meantime, a letter was addressed to the N.E. Metropolitan
Regional Hospital Board, advising them of our intention to
take action under the National Assistance Act, and requesting them
to make preliminary arrangements for her admission to hospital.
They replied, saying that the matter had been referred to the Emergency
Bed Service. Accordingly, another letter was forwarded to
the Regional Board, drawing their attention to Section 47 paragraph
3, and asking for their observations upon the matter of naming the
person "managing the premises." The Board then replied that
application should be made to the Hospital Group Management
Committee controlling the hospital at which the old lady had been
an in-patient and an out-patient. Application was so made. In