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. v .
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the
Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the
Health of the Borough of Deptford in 1948.
Following the request of the Minister of Health the
Report is produced in the abridged form which has been the case
since the outbreak of war in 1959.
During the year, on the 5th July, the National Health
Service Act came into operation. This measure, amongst others
such as the National Insurance Act and the National Assistance
Act, brought about great changes in the social welfare services
of the country. To name a few:- the Deptford Borough
Council's Maternity and Child Welfare service was transferred
to the London County Council, but arrangements were made whereby
the Borough Medical Officer carried out the day to day
supervision.
The Vaccination Act became redundant upon the coming
into operation of the National Health Service Act, and in
consequence there are no Public Vaccinators as heretofore but
Veccination Clinics are arranged by the London County Council.
Diphtheria and Whooping Cough Immunisation is now
carried out by London County Council staff instead of staff
provided by the Deptford Borough Council although it is
personally carried out by the same medical officers as before.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary service was transferred
to the Regional Hospital Board, Dr. N.M. Donnelly continuing
as Chest Physician until his retirement in September.
Amongst other staff personnel to be transferred
were the Health Visitors, many of whom had given spendid service
with the Borough Council over a period of years and it is
satisfactory to note that these experienced officers are still
retained in this Borough.
Although the Maternity and Child Welfare and Tuberculosis
Services have been transferred to other Authorities it must not
be forgotten that the main duty of the Department, i.e.,
environmental public health, in its widest connotation, remains
the responsibility of the Borough Council.
The duties of the Sanitary Inspectors were carried on
under conditions of great difficulty although with the
relaxation of controls regarding building licencing, it was
possible to maintain an improvement in the lapse of time
between the service of Notices and the completion thereof.
My thanks are duo to the Staff, both permanent and
temporary, for the able and enthusiastic manner in which they have
discharged their duties.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
F.L. KEITH.
Medical Officer of Health.
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