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It is always sad to see the break up of a department which can rightfully claim a
fair measure of success, and all I can hope is that the implementation of the new
legislation which includes the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, will provide
residential and community services which will meet the needs of the Borough.
The problem of homelessness has continued to present difficulties and I envisage
that there will always be a demand for additional units of accommodation within the
foreseeable future. The conversion of Manor Cottages, Finchley, N.2. to provide
additional units should go some way towards relieving the problem.
In regard to family planning, 1970 saw considerable progress being made in the
provision of a comprehensive service, but here again, it appears obvious to me that this
is a service which will continue to expand with ever increasing demands being made.
The development of health centres continues and the first one was opened at East
Barnet in January, 1970. Although not a purpose built Centre, the extension of the East
Barnet Clinic and adaptations made within the premises have provided a most viable unit.
The interest of General Medical Practitioners continues and I foresee that in the not too
distant future, health centres (purpose built) will be required in a number of districts within
the Authority's boundaries and furthermore, there will be a need to extend and equip existing
clinics to provide health centre accommodation. This is a priority service insofar as
the Government is concerned and the provision of such establishments does much to provide
for total health care within the community.
From the statistical tables shown on pages 11 to 23 it will be seen that the number
of live births has continued the decrease which began in 1964, the corrected birth rate in
1970 having fallen to 12.9 per 1000 population, from 13.2 in 1969. The illegitimate birth
rate has increased from 6.9% of all live births in 1969 to 7.4%, reversing the downward
trend of the previous four years.
There were 57 stillbirths, a rate of 13,7 per 1000 live and stillbirths, as against
50 stillbirths in 1968, a rate of 11.8. The infant (under one year) death rate per 1000 live
and stillbirths showed a substantial increase at 17.8 over the 1969 rate of 12.8; the longterm
trend however continues to be downward. The neo-natal death rate rose from 8.6 to
13.4, the early neo-natal death rate from 7.2 to 11.2, and the pre-natal death rate (stillbirths
and deaths under one week of age) from 23.4 to 24.8.
Deaths from all causes decreased from 3,664 in 1969 to 3,582, the corrected rate per
1000 population falling from 10.6 to 10.5.
There was no serious outbreak of infectious disease during the year.
A number of visits were paid to the Department by representatives of the various
professions who were anxious to obtain the views of staff employed in the various divisions
of the Department and responsible for particular services.
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