[Report 1960] / Medical Officer of Health, Northampton County Borough.

X.—WELFARE Welfare Services. The National Assistance Act, 1948, which came into operation on 5th July, 1948, made provision for comprehensive services falling into two main groups :— (1) National Assistance, taking the form chiefly of cash allowances to persons in need; (2) Residential accommodation for the aged, the infirm, and others who require care and attention to be provided in this way, with special welfare services for the blind, partially sighted, deaf or dumb, and other persons who are substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury, or congenital deformity. The assistance rendered under heading (1) is the concern of the National Assistance Board. Local authorities are responsible for the services under heading (2) and for this purpose the following schemes made by Northampton County Borough Council under the Sections mentioned of the National Assistance Act, 1948, have been approved by the Minister of Health :— SECTIONS 21 29 and 30 29 and 30 SCHEMES Provision of residential accommodation Provision of welfare services for blind persons and partially sighted persons Provision of welfare services for deaf or dumb persons DATES OF APPROVAL 18-5-49 12-5-49 (amending scheme 18-6-55) 20-1-55 The Council prepared a draft scheme, for the provision of welfare services for handicapped persons other than those in the classes mentioned above, for submission to the Minister of Health early in 1961. All matters relating to the discharge of the welfare functions of the Council under the National Assistance Acts stand referred to the Health Committee, who specially appoint a Welfare Services Sub-Committee (see page 10). These functions are discharged under the general adminis¬ tration of the Medical Officer of Health, who is also designated Welfare Administrator. A Welfare Officer and three Assistant Welfare Officers are on the staff of the Health Department. Two of the assistants are mainly concerned with blind welfare. National Assistance Act, 1948: Section 21 Residential Accommodation. For clarity, this subject is treated under appropriate headings :— (1) Controlled by the Local Authority (a) Kings Heath Home of Rest. This Home, built specially for old persons, provides accommodation for 33 aged persons (16 men and 17 women). On 31st December, 1960, 32 persons (15 men and 17 women) were in residence.