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PUBLIC MORTUARY. There is no public mortuary in the Borough. By arrangement
with the Coroner, bodies are taken direct to Acton or Humpton Mortuaries.
The Council pays a charge made for the use of these mortuaries.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION OP STAFF. For superannuation or other purposes, 142
members of the Council's staff were referred to the Health Department for medical
examination.
HEALTH EDUCATION. Posters issued by the Central Council for Health
Education continued to be displayed on the boards formerly used by the Empire
Marketing Board. During the year, the Medical Officer of Health gave talks to
several organisations in the Borough on various aspects of the health services.
The Chief Public Health Inspector engaged in similar activities, particularly
in those parts of the Borough affected by Smoke Control Orders. The staff are
fully aware of the opportunities given by their contact with the people for
dnawing attention to matters bearing on health and hygiene. Other Departments
have co-operated by displaying health educational material.
The anti-smoking unit of the Central Council for Health Education spent
1 day in the Borough visiting secondary schools,
PERSONS IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION. Section 47 of the National Assistance
Act, 1948, places the responsibility on the Council of taking action to
secure the necessary care and attention for 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 oare and attention".
Despite the growing interest of statutory and voluntary agencies in the
welfare of the aged, cases come to the notice of the Department of neglected
aged persons living in insanitary conditions. Such persons are usually most reluctant
to accept assistance or to go to hospital or institution, but fortunately,
in most cases, peaceful persuasion secures their co-operation in some degree and
the necessary action can be taken. In no case was it necessary to seek authority
to apply for an Order for compulsory removal to hospital or institution.
LAUNDRY SERVICE. One of the problems in the care of aged and sick persons
in their own homes is soiled clothing and bed linen. Where washing facilities
are poor and the persons concerned neither have nor can afford assistance, the
cleansing of clothing and bedding presents serious difficulty. In some cases,
action under Section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936 is the only solution
and the Council has made arrangements with a laundry firm for the cleansing of
articles where the Medical Officer of Health has issued the certificates required
by the Act. The number of cases participating in this service is increasing.
BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE Sessions for the collection of blood from
donors were held as under:
Hounslow
29th February, 1st and 2nd March
31st May.
25th, 26th and 27th July.
25th October.
19th, 20th and 21st December.
Isleworth
19th January.
28th June.
13th December.
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