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17
SECTION B
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Health Centre
The Health Centre which was opened by Lord Horder in 1938 provided
accommodation for a number of services which were transferred to
the Regional Hospital Board and London County Council in 1948 under
the National Health Service Act, 1946. The Borough Council has,
however, continued to own and maintain the building, and there has
been little change in the nature of the services provided. The
offices of the Public Health Department have continued to occupy part
of the centre and agreement was reached with the other authorities
concerned for the services now under their control to make use of
other portions. The Council has acted as agent for the Regional
Hospital Board in relation to certain of their services.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Centre continues to be of
value to the public not only for the services available but as a place
to which they may readily come for help and advice in regard to many
Health problems.
The very existence of the Building as an expression of the Ideals
of Health remains useful in regard to Health Education.
Very large numbers of visitors and organized parties both from
this country and overseas, including a number of members of the
Supreme Soviet, have been welcomed since the war. Although the
numbers have recently declined owing to the opening of other Health
Centres in and around London some visitors were received in 1955,
Laboratory
The laboratory in the Health Centre has been maintained jointly
with the Regional Hospital Board since 1948 and undertakes the routine
work of the Public Health Department in the control of infectious
disease and the bacteriological examination of milk and other foodstuffs
and has operated in close association with the Central Public
Health laboratory service at Colindale. In addition it continues to
undertake simple routine pathology on behalf of the Chest Clinic,
other clinics in the Health Centre and of medical practitioners in the
district.