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
Barnet 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnet]
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Bell Device linked to the lighting circuit within the home, this being of particular help. Voluntary
organisations provide spiritual and social activities, and the Council acknowledges the opportunities
given to the deaf by the Royal Association in Aid of the Deaf, through its many Centres.
Contact is maintained with Hard of Hearing Groups at Barnet and Hendon, both of which
flourish under active leadership, and having a membership totalling 152 persons.
Physically Handicapped Persons
This group includes spastics, epileptics, persons suffering from multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, the residual effects of poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, and other diseases and injuries. The Register continues to increase, and the number at the end of the year was 1,166 persons, made up as follows
| General Classes of Handicapped | |
|---|---|
| Under 16 years of age | 14 |
| Aged 16 years to 64 years | 511 |
| Aged 65 years and over | 641 |
| 1,166 |
The Council has a daily work centre at Heriot Road, Hendon, where up to 30 persons
attended durinig week-day mornings. The co-operation of local firms is sought to obtain work of
a suitable nature and a variety of assembly jobs are carried out by those attending. Council
transport is used to convey some of the handicapped to and from the Centre.
A new Rehabilitation Centre in Deansbrook Road, Edgware, is expected to be completed
early in 1968. The purpose of the centre is to provide a rehabilitation service for blind, partially
sighted and all classes of physically handicapped persons, including the deaf. Particular
emphasis will be placed on assisting those whose disability is of recent origin and who after
receiving hospital therapeutic treatment are returned to the community and who will benefit from
the opportunity to engage in various work operations or learning communication, mobility or
housecraft methods. Its opening is eagerly awaited to enable a greater contribution to be made
to assist blind and handicapped persons towards a greater all round independence.
The British Red Cross Society held afternoon craft classes each week at Edgware, Hendon
Finchley and High Barnet. This service is much valued by the Council, and appreciated by all
who attend. A weekly Choral Class, attended by handicapped persons, was held in North
Finchley during school terms; each year the choir attends a festival.
Wherever possible the Council extended its transport support to voluntary bodies to assist
in social activities and holiday schemes; in some cases no charge was made, and in others a
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