London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1970

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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(iv) Additions and Removals—Physically Handicapped Register

DISABILITY GROUPSSexNumber at 31.12.69Additions during yr.Deletions during yr.Number at 31.12.70
AmputationM8761182
F2810731
RheumatismM5513959
F3557723409
DeformitiesM1641010
F171117
Systemic DiseasesM6127979
F5213956
Injuries and DiseasesM527752
F76121276
Organic Nervous DiseasesM2356726276
F2511616251
NeurosisM6125
F927
TuberculosisM88
F3214
OtherM34201440
F6710968
TotalM55414588611
F85814180919
Grand Totals14122861681530

Reference to table (iv) shows that although the number of
registrations viz. 1,530, is an increase of 118 over the figure for the
previous year, there were actually 286 new registrations during the
current year with 168 deletions. A rise of new registrations of this
order gives evidence of the drive to make our registers more
comprehensive than hitherto.
It is true that, at the moment, the majority of cases coming to
the notice of the department and those already on our register of
handicapped persons have well established handicaps, many of
which are either static or becoming progressively more severe.
However, this should not deter us from taking a preventive attitude
wherever possible and a patient being discharged from hospital
with a residual disability gives the department an opportunity of
being involved at an early and formative stage, so that even the
patient's attitude towards his own disability can be influenced to
his benefit.
Clubs and Centres
Two centres and a number of clubs are organised for the blind
and other handicapped persons with the object of ensuring, so far