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43
priority and 70 a degree of medical priority. Of these cases 195, or 72%, were
re-housed. Some families having been accorded the highest priority for housing on
medical grounds for at least two years have not yet been re-housed. The lack of four
and five bed-roomed units causes some concern. The approach to assessment has
lately been changed from a very strict medical to a more socio-medical
consideration: this attitude bears in mind the damage done to the future general
health of the younger element in the community by living in bad housing
conditions.
NURSING HOMES
There are four nursing homes registered in the borough. Two of them are
mother and baby homes run by the Salvation Army and the Sisters of St. Mary the
Virgin, Wantage, respectively; one which is in essence a hospital for terminal
cases; and only one nursing home in the accepted sense. This latter home, St.
Margaret's Nursing Home, 262 Victoria Park Road, E.9. now accommodates 11 chronic
medical patients as the maternity element ceased to operate after August. The
number of confinements which took place in this home during the year was 15.
There are no maternity beds at the two mother and baby homes.
All the homes are periodically inspected by staff of the Health Department.
HEALTH CENTRES
After so many years producing plans for health centres and holding
innumerable discussions it is a pleasure to report that bricks were actually
laid during the year, work on the Health Centre at Somerford Grove, which is
replacing the Child Health Centre in the West Hackney Church Hall commenced in
February and the building should be ready for occupation in the summer of 1971.
The situation at the end of the year in respect of the other proposed
Health Centres was as follows:-
Barton House, N.16. -Plans have been agreed with the Department
of Health and Social Security. The architect
is preparing working drawings.
At the time of writing this report work had
actually commenced on the site.
Clapton Park, E.5. -Plans have been agreed with the Department
of Health and Social Security. Thearchitect
is preparing working drawings.
Fountayne Road, N.IS. -Plans are still under discussion with the
Department of Health and Social Security.
Hedgers Grove, E.9. -Plans awaiting approval by the Department
of Health and Social Security.
Kingsmead Estate, E.9. -As there was no response by the local
general practitioners it was decided not
to proceed with a special building to
provide maternal and child health facilities
on the Estate. It is now proposed to erect
a community hall on the Estate and
accommodation will be made available for
health purposes.
Lower Clapton Road, E. 5. -During the year a site in Tresham Avenue
for the replacement of the Centre at 6
Lower Clapton Road and the School Treatment
Centre, 13 Goulton Road, was agreed and
earmarked for development as a Health
Centre.