London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Harrow 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
This page requires JavaScript
On the 1st January, 1969, there were 755 handicapped persons on the register and the position at 31st December, 1969 is shown in the table below:-
| Children under 16 years | Persons aged 16—64 | Persons 65 and over | Totals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deaf with speech | Male | — | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Female | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| Deaf without speech | Male | — | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| Female | 1 | 7 | 2 | 10 | |
| Hard of Hearing | Male | — | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Female | — | 6 | 8 | 14 | |
| General Classes | Male | 9 | 169 | 113 | 291 |
| Female | 11 | 231 | 258 | 500 | |
| TOTAL | 22 | 434 | 390 | 846 | |
Residential Homes and Care for the Aged
The demand for residential care continues to increase and additional
accommodation is included in the proposed development programme.
Unfortunately due to the national economic situation projects have been
deferred and this is reflected in the statistics for the period under review. A
total of 310 applications for residential care were approved and from these
131 persons were admitted to homes provided by the Council.
In addition Harrow residents were admitted to various homes
administered by voluntary organisations and other local authorities.
Where appropriate the Council becomes financially responsible for such
residents and 104 cases were admitted during the year.
The short stay scheme, which is invaluable as a means of allowing
relatives to be relieved for holidays and easing tensions and pressures, was
fully booked throughout the year with 131 elderly persons being admitted.
Many applications had to be turned down and the need to expand this
service is pressing.
Admission to permanent residential care must be considered as a last
resort and every effort is made to keep elderly persons in their own, or
relatives homes, with the support of district nurses, home helps, meals-on-