A proposal was made in the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation on Tursday for the Vestry Act to be amended in respect of how it affects elderly residents placed in infirmaries.
Deputy Mayor and Councillor for the Dalvey Division, Michael McLeod said was important for the law to be reviewed.
He said, under the law, when persons are placed in infirmaries, any property they own must be signed over to the Council.
Mr McLeod noted that issues arise when family members come to claim assets after their relatives pass away, and he insisted that this provision in the Vestry Act should be enforced as infirmary residents’ assets could be used to offset the cost of caring for them.
He also raised concerns about social cases in hospitals and is calling for the Ministry of Health to provide more support and facilities.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness has said it is collaborating with the Ministry of Local Government to relocate persons abandoned by their families in hospitals to infirmaries and specialized shelters to free up hospital capacity.