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environmental medicine and in the course of his career had shown
great skill as an epidemiologist, particularly when faced with outbreaks
of serious infectious disease. I acknowledge, gratefully,
the experience which he put unselfishly at my disposal during the
difficult days when the Department was formed in 1964/65. Mr.
Andrew, who worked closely with Dr. Standring, was also a
recognised expert in his own field and there are many public
health inspectors, now in senior responsible positions, who would
testify to the kindness, consideration and practical help which they
received from him when they came to Woolwich or Greenwich as
students. Both officers were regarded with affection and respect in
the Directorate and all good wishes go to them in their retirement.
Mention was made last year about Thamesmead and the
Working Party formed to examine the feasibility of a main centre
serving all the health and community needs of the area. The
Report is now completed and will be published early next year. In
considering the future scope of the services to be provided by this
Directorate, the Council will wish to examine all schemes carefully,
particularly in relation to proven need and subject to some
measurement of performance. Cost is no longer an insignificant byproduct
and, in determining this future provision, much thought
will be required about the problems not only as to whether they
are necessary or desirable but of ways and means; for within these
problems is naturally subsumed the question of priorities, available
resources and all the many different things society considers
as socially necessary. Above all, prolonged high pressure persuasion
and anachronistic views masquerading in modern guise must
be resisted. In the welter of conflicting counsel, one of the few
unifying forces is the habit of logical analysis, the recognition of
demonstrable evidence and reliance upon observation and orderly
thought.
During the course of the year, I have had the unusual experience
of serving directly no fewer than five Chairmen. Alderman
Chrisp and Councillor Malone retired as Chairmen of the Health
and Welfare Committees respectively and were replaced by Councillor
Mrs. Wendy Mitchell and Councillor Mrs. Jean Avery who,
on her translation to the chairmanship of another senior committee
was in turn replaced by Councillor Newland. It is a testimony
to their kindness and consideration to me when I say that
these changes have been effected with no disruption to the continuity
or to the scope of the Borough social services.
Even the most perfunctory glance at this document will indicate
the diversity of the work of the Directorate and it is clear that the
head of such an organisation must be entirely dependent on the
abilities and industry of key members of the staff. In this respect,