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Borough of Bermondsey
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Bermondsey.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This will be the last Annual Report of the Officer of
Health of Bermondsey as such. At the Ministry of Health's direction
the report for the first quarter of 1965 will be included in the Annual
Report of the Medical Officer of Health of the London Borough of
Southwark.
This final report must, of necessity, be tempered with a clear
regret at the passing of an era in which many fine achievements were
made. It is not possible to list all of these but it is important to
dwell a little on the two most outstanding services.
1. Imported Food. It is well known that Tooley Street has
meant, and means, food importation on a huge scale. No. 1 London
Bridge, is the headquarters of the London Provision Exchange. The
close liaison with the trade has led to the efficient inspection, examination
and sampling of foodstuffs in the most expeditious way. In
view of the tonnage involved (approximately one million tons
annually), this is in reality a considerable service to the nation since
distribution is nationwide. It was, therefore, realistic when on 16th
November, 1964, the Minister of Health decided that the request of
the Corporation of London to take over responsibility of the
riverside wharves of the Riparian Boroughs in respect of imported
food should not be acceded to. Since this decision a meeting of
Riparian Medical Officers of Health and Health Inspectors has been
held at the London Provision Exchange, Bermondsey, under my
Chairmanship, and it is proposed to hold future meetings there.
I am sure I can speak for the Bermondsey Council in expressing
our thanks for the services of the Public Health Inspectors who have
a wealth of experience in food importation.
2. Old People's Welfare. This service was second to none
and the Council's expressed wish of doing everything possible for the
aged was fully implemented by the staff. The clubs, both voluntary
and municipal, played a vital role in the scheme of things. The
statutory services were used to the full. The public health assistants
did an excellent job and helped to humanise these services, seeing
that the best was obtained for the aged. House to house visiting,
covering the borough as a whole ensured the compilation of a