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

Welfare (■continued) Persons in Need of Care and Attention, No action was necessary under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, Burial of the Dead. It was necessary for the Local Authority to arrange one burial in accordance with Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, which was a total charge on the Local Authority, Admissions to Mother and Baby Homes. Nine applications for ad¬ mission to mother and baby homes under Section 21, National Assistance Act, 1948, and Section 22, National Health Service Act, 1946, were invesitaged. All were approved for admission, five to St. Saviour’s Home, Northampton, one to St. Pologia’s Home, London, and three to the Council’s own accommodation at Whiston Road Home but all three refused this accommodation. The Council undertake financial respon¬ sibility for maintenance at Mother and Baby Homes for a period not exceeding twelve weeks, i.e. approximately four weeks before confine- confinement, two weeks lying-in period, and six weeks afterwards. The approximate cost per case amounts to £50 and upwards. The obstetric facilities in this town are second to none and it is difficult to appreciate the reason for sending these cases away, unless it is for purposes of secrecy. Temporary Protection of Property. A store at “ The Priory ” has been provided to meet the obligations of the Local Authority under Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, to take reasonable steps to prevent or mitigate loss or damage to movable property of persons admitted to hospital, etc. These premises are also utilised for the storage of bedsteads, bedding, etc., in connection with temporary accommodation reserved at certain buildings in the County Borough to meet exceptional circumstances, such as flooding, or to provide shelter for other persons in urgent need in circumstances which cannot reasonably be foreseen, in accordance with Section 21 (1) (b) of the National Assistance Act, 1948.