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51
WELFARE OF AGED PERSONS
(National Assistance Acts, 1948 to 1951)
In view of the continued ageing of our population, measures for the welfare
of aged people constitute one of the nation's most important social services.
The Public Health Committee displays very great interest in this
matter and the staff of the Department are most assiduous in dealing with the
cases which come to our notice. The County Council is the Welfare Authority
and the Borough Council possesses limited powers. We are fortunate in Hackney
in having a voluntary Association for the Welfare of Old People, which the
Council supports and on which it is represented. During the year under review,
under Section 31 of the Act a grant of £400 was made to this Association and also
a special grant of £800 for the purchase of a suitable vehicle for use in the
"meals on wheels" service. This service is one of the main activities of the
organisation and one cannot speak too highly of the work done in this connection,
Hot two-course meals are served on three days a week: one day in each
of the three areas into which the Borough is divided for this purpose. Some
13,000 such meals were provided: in some cases delivery was made direct to
persons in their own homes and in other cases to luncheon clubs.
Other activities of the Association include the provision of sea-side
holidays - over 150 old people had a week's holiday at Heme Bay; and Social
Clubs - 23 Clubs meet each week, providing entertainment, recreation and
occupational therapy for nearly 3,000 old people. The majority of these
clubs are officially affiliated to the Association and receive financial
assistance, stationery, an allocation of places in old people's holiday homes,
and a supply of indoor games. Other clubs are not fully affiliated but have
representation on the Association's committee.
I am very happy to report, in connection with the welfare of aged persons,
that the closest possible co-operation exists between the staff of this Department
and members of the voluntary Association, the Welfare Department of the
London County Council and also with the home nursing, domestic help, and other
services provided by that Authority.
SECTION 47. Removal to suitable premises of persons in need of care and
attention. This Section of the National Assistance Act gives a local authority
power to apply to a court of summary jurisdiction for an Order for the
removal to and detention in a suitable hospital or other place for a period
not exceeding three months persons who (a) are suffering from grave chronic
disease or, being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary
conditions, and (b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not
receiving from other persons, proper care and attention. Seven clear days'
notice of intention to make such application must be given to the person concerned.
Section 1 of the Amendment Act of 1951 simplifies this procedure somewhat
by enabling the court or a single justice of the peace to dispense with the
seven days' notice required under the earlier Act if it is certified by the
Medical Officer of Health and another registered medical practitioner that, in
their opinion, it is necessary in the interests of the person for whom the
Order for removal is sought to remove him without delay. Such an Order can,
however, require the detention of the person for three weeks only, instead of
the three months specified in the 1948 Act. The application for an Order may
be made by the Medical Officer of Health if the local authority authorise him
to make applications in cases to which the amending Act applies. When persons
living in the conditions visualised are met with it is usually necessary
for speedy action to be taken and the Council has, therefore, given to the
Medical Officer of Health and to his Deputy authority to take the necessary
action in emergency.
The powers referred to affect the liberty of the subject and one is
extremely loath to use them; old people cling to their own homes and to the