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

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Kensington and Chelsea 1965

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]

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Because of doubts expressed by some sections of the public on both the efficacy
of fluoridation and the policy of what has been referred to as "mass medication", the Minister
of Health made a statement to the Press giving reassurance on the question of safety and on
the need for fluoridation of water as a preventive measure for dental decay. In addition,
the Minister issued a circular urging all local authorities and water undertakings to make the
necessary arrangements for the fluoridation of water and offering at the same time to indemnify
authorities concerned in England and Wales in the event of legal proceedings on lack of
powers or on damage to health.
The London Boroughs Committee have had under consideration a request by
certain constituent authorities for the formation of a concerted policy on fluoridation and,
as a result, their General Purposes Sub-Committee asked for the Council's observations on
a suggestion that an approach be made to the Minister for the introduction of legislation
enabling fluoridation of water supplies to be directed nationally.
The Council were of the opinion that such legislation should be introduced and
the London Boroughs Committeewere informed accordingly.
No action has yet been taken by the Metropolitan Water Board to introduce the
fluoridation of water in London.

BACTERIOLOGICAL AND ANALYTICAL WORK The following is a summary of the work performed during 1965:-

Nature of sampleNumber examined
Nose and throat swabs244
Faeces and rectal swabs770
Milk (bacteriological)72
Water (drinking)25
Water (swimming)69
Ice Cream31
Miscellaneous69

SWIMMING BATHS
There are four swimming pools in the borough, two are provided at the Public
Baths situated in North Kensington at the junction of Lancaster Road and Silchester Road
and the other two pools are provided at the Chelsea Public Baths in Chelsea Manor Street.
The water used in the North Kensington pools is taken from the mains of the
Metropolitan Water Board and the Chelsea pools are supplied from a deep well situated
beneath the baths. In both establishments the water is treated by chlorination and continuous
filtration.
During the year, samples of water were taken from the pools and sources of
supply for bacteriological examination, and all were satisfactory. Samples were also taken
from the pools and submitted for examination regarding the residual chlorine content and all
results were returned as satisfactory.
PUBLIC MORTUARY FACILITIES AND CORONER'S COURT
Prior to the 1st April, 1965, the former Kensington and Chelsea Councils had an
arrangement with the Hammersmith Borough Council that all bodies should be accommodated
in the Hammersmith mortuary at 77 Fulham Palace Road, W.6.
Consequent upon the London Government Act, 1963, there was a rearrangement
of the London Coroners' Districts, and the area for which H.M. Coroner would in future be