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 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnet]
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WELFARE SERVICES
The Welfare Services provided by the Council, by virtue of the National Assistance Act,
1948, have been expanded during the year in relation to the care of the aged, the physically
handicapped, and the homeless members of the community.
Residential Accommodation
The demand for residential accommodation continues to increase, and the number requiring
admission at 31st December, 1969 had grown to 227.
The number of people accommodated in Council Homes for the elderly at the end of the year was 370, and was made up as follows:—
| Name of Home | No. of Beds | Disposition |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Lodge, 66 Hendon Lane, N.3. | 32 | Female |
| The Cedars, Richmond Road, New Barnet | 38 | Mixed |
| The Leys, Barnet Lane, Elstree | 47 | Mixed |
| Morton Lodge, Ashfield Road, Southgate, N.14. | 50 | Mixed |
| Redhill House, Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware | 81 | Mixed |
| Storth Oaks, 1 Downage, Hendon, N.W.4. | 31 | Mixed |
| Woodhill House, Kentish Lane, Essendon, Herts. | 41 | Mixed |
| Meadowside, 58 Holden Road, N.12. | 50 | Mixed |
| Total | 370 |
During the year the new "Meadowside" Welfare Home in Holden Road, Finchley was
opened; it will be recalled that this replaces the former Home of the same name, demolished
in 1967. In my 1967 Report I referred to Redhill House the former Poor Law Institution
and the programmed closure of these premises in 1972/3 and that the Ministry of Health at
that time had given approval to 4 replacement homes. It will be seen from the above table
that at the end of the year the number of beds at this home had been reduced to 81 compared
to 251 in 1965. The completion at the close of the year of the first replacement Home will
further accelerate the closure of Redhill House and in fact it is hoped that this will be
achieved during the coming year. The new Home "Merrivale" built within the grounds of
Redhill House, will accommodate 60 people.
During the year 102 people were admitted to the Council's Homes; 62 residents died,
and 46 were transferred to hospital. Short-stay accommodation was provided for 37 persons,
to enable relatives who normally care for them to take a holiday.
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