London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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elsewhere at the recommendation of the Salvation Army and also at the direction of the Medical
Officer of Health of the City. Subsequent to Her Majesty's opening of the Home the Lord Mayor
unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event. By this time 5 men were resident and gradually
other men were accepted and have settled into their new surroundings. They all showed marked
improvement in health visits within a few weeks of admission in spite of handicapping infirmities.
Social adjustment took longer; nevertheless gratifying results have been recorded.
Residential Accommodation for the Elderly
'Hillside'
The number of residents at 'Hillside was gradually reduced in accordance with the Islington Borough Scheme to close the home in 1973.
| 1967 | 1968 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons accommodated at the end of the year | 17 | 9 |
| Voluntary Homes | 1967 | 1968 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons accommodated at the end of the year | Rawson Home | – | 22 |
| Other Homes | 10 | 10 |
Of the eight families referred to above, temporary accommodation was provided in 5 cases.
No homelessness occurred in families resident in the City.
Temporary Accommodation for Homeless Persons arising from a Peace-time Emergency
A Peace-time Emergency Plan had been drawn up and this would have been put into action
if such a disaster occurred. It involved the provision of a rest centre for persons rendered homeless.
Voluntary organisations and the statutory services were thus organised to provide a necessary
service for people in special need in an emergency. The plan was tested during the year when
a combined Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Police, Hospital and Local Authority "disaster" exercise
was held. It is pleasing to note that only minor modifications were necessary to the plan already
drawn up.
SECTIONS 29 and 30
| Welfare Services for the Handicapped | 1967 | 1968 |
|---|---|---|
| Blind | 5 | 4 |
| Partially Sighted | 1 | 1 |
| No. of people in Residential Homes for the Blind | 2 | — |
Welfare Services for the Blind
By agency agreements, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets provides a Welfare Officer for
the Blind to visit registered blind and partially sighted persons resident in the City and to help
them obtain those services which will benefit them both physically and socially. Two men
received braille books and another was aided in obtaining clothing. At the end of the year one
further person was under investigation with a view to registration as either blind or partially sighted.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing
| 1967 | 1968 | |
|---|---|---|
| Deaf without Speech | 1 | 4 |
| Deaf with Speech | 3 | 5 |
| Hard of Hearing | 5 | 3 |
Welfare Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
It has taken longer to make contact with deaf persons and in the main their response to the
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