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DAY NURSERIES
There are 3 day nurseries—2 war-time nurseries and the Council's permanent nursery which was
first opened at Bourchier House in 1920 and transferred to the New Health Centre in 1939. There are 140
places for children up to 3 years of age. It was originally intended that when the children reached the age
of 3 years they would be transferred to the Nursery Schools but unfortunately these are not able to take in
all the children at that age with the result that quite a number have to remain at the nurseries for another
year so limiting the intake of younger children.
The health of the children was particularly good during the year and cases of infectious illnesses were
very few.
DOMESTIC AND HOME HELPS
The demand for helps is always in excess of the supply. During the year assistance was given to 336
households, and many letters of appreciation of the service were received.
JOINT AMBULANCE SERVICE
This Service was transferred to Middlesex County Council on the 5th July, 1948, in accordance with
the provisions of the National Health Service Act, 1946.
During 1947 the demands for the use of Ambulances continued to grow and the Staff have given very
good service.
There are now 5 modern ambulances and 1 fairly old. One new vehicle is on order.
A car for sitting cases is also kept.
The 24 hours are divided into 3 shifts of 8 hours, 8 a.m.—4 p.m., 4 p.m.—midnight, midnight—8 a.m.
In the first shift 5 ambulances and the car are manned, in the second 3 ambulances and in the third 2
ambulances.
Reciprocal arrangements exist with adjoining local authorities.
The times that we require assistance from neighbours, and they from us, are about equal.
Removals are comparatively easy to cope with but accidents, which constitute about 10% of the total
calls, have the habit of occurring in batches and it inevitably happens on occasions that no ambulance is
available at once and a few complaints have been received on this account. On the other hand many letters
of appreciation of the service have been received.
A total of 12,904 cases were moved in 1947. (121,857 miles.)
MORTUARY
Eighty-two bodies were received in the Mortuary and 21 of these were from Friern Barnet.
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