London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hendon 1960

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hendon]

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Hendon Old People's Housing Society
I am indebted to the Honorary Secretary, Mr. A.E. Harvey of 36 Grampian Gardens,
N.W.2, for the Annual Report for 1960 which describes the work of the Society at
Church Walk House. The Report includes the following interesting comments -
"The Future
On a number of occasions we have been asked if we are going to extend. There
has always been a problem of supplying suitable houses for the elderly. Many organisations
are giving a great deal of attention to this; almshouses have been built;
old fashioned bungalows and such-like. There are many disadvantages to this type of
property. Coal £8-£9 per ton; where only one room is heated, other rooms are cold
and damp; an open fire is often unsuitable for the elderly person since it carries
the risk of getting their clothes on fire. No one to look after them when they are
ill, etc. etc.
There are many ideas as to how old people should be housed. The modern trend is
blocks of flatlets. They find them easy to run; they appreciate central heating.
They are able to look after themselves without finding this a burden. If, in an
emergency, help is needed, they know this is close at hand in the Warden Service.
They can enjoy the privacy of their own lives, whilst sharing the companionship of
other occupants of the block. from my observation, I think there are too many folk
in old people's homes, who are still capable of looking after themselves, thus occupying
beds which could be used by those in more urgent need of care and attention."
Staff Medical Examinations
During the year under review 107 new entrants or employees of the Hendon Borough
Council were medically examined for superannuation purposes.
Of this number 101 employees were passed as fit, 1 was unfit and in 5 cases the
decision was deferred pending further medical examination.

The number of examinations in respect of each department of the Council was as follows:-

Town Clerk's10
Borough Treasurer's12
Borough Engineer's42
Borough Librarian's22
Borough Housing Officer's19
Medical Officer of Health's2
107