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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
SECTION 47.
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, repeals and
re-enacts Section 224 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
which relates to the removal to suitable institutions of aged and
infirm persons living in insanitary conditions and not receiving
proper care and attention. Similar powers were given to the Council
previously under the provisions of Section 28 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1928.
Since this legislation was first introduced there have been
numerous occasions when aged persons have refused offered assistance
and it has been necessary to invoke these statutory powers to
secure their removal to suitable institutions. There have also been
many instances in which persons not receiving adequate attention
have been assisted by other means, such as arranging for medical
attention or admission to hospital and, latterly, by providing
home assistance through the Home Help Service.
The first reference to this problem during my 30 years' administration
at Hackney is contained in my 1935 Annual Report,
which records the action taken under Section 28 of the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, in respect of two cases
in which Magistrates' Orders were obtained.
Until 1950, the highest number of cases recorded in any year
was in 1942 when Magistrates' Orders were obtained in two cases
and nine other persons voluntarily entered hospital following visits
by officers of the Public Health Department.
During 1950 nineteen persons were found to be in need of care
and attention, but the number of cases reported during the early
months of 1951 indicates that the total for the year will be at least
double that for the year under review.