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SECTION B
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH CENTRE:
The Council continued to maintain the Health Centre for the administration
of the Public Health Services, and arrangements continued in
force for the use by the Regional Hospital Board and the London County
Council of those portions of the building which were occupied by services
transferred to those bodies under the National Health Service Act 1946.
The Council also continued to act as an agent for the Regional Hospital
Board in respect of certain services controlled by them.
There is no doubt that continued experience has confirmed the view
expressed for many years, that the occupation by the Health Department
of a separate building of a suitable character to which the public may
readily come for help and advice in regard to the numerous health and
social problems with which they are often faced, and where some services
are available is of great value.
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 diseases
and bacteriological examination of milk and other foodstuffs, and has
operated in close association with the Central Public Health Laboratory
service in Colindale. In addition it continues to undertake simple routine
pathology of behalf of the Chest Clinic, other clinics in the Health
Centre, and of Medical practitioners in the District.
A particular feature has been the use made of the facilities for
the taking and examination of swabs for the early diagnosis of Whooping
Cough. This has been of particular value when the disease has been
prevalent.
The services of the Laboratory Technician have been available for
a limited number of Domiciliary visits when these have been called for.
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