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Health and Welfare Services.
Ten Year Plan.
In accordance with Circulars 10/65 and 14/65 each local health and welfare authority
was required to prepare a ten year plan for the development of the Authority's health and welfare
services. More detailed reference is later made to the plan which was submitted by this Authority.
The various schemes which were included represent essential requirements if the health and
welfare services are to serve the residents of the Borough in the manner which the Council
desires. Important features of the proposals are those for nine health centres, for a mental health
hostel, and for additional old peoples' homes. Whether or not the plans for health centres materialise,
or whether the development takes the form of clinic premises is of course dependent on the
wishes of the general practitioners in the particular parts of the Borough concerned.
Research.
With the encouragement of the Authority the Medical Officers, and in particular the health
visitors, played and continue to play their full part in various research projects which are detailed
in the report. The surveys involved are all of the greatest value and it is gratifying to record the
enthusiasm of all the officers concerned.
Health Education.
Health Education in its widest sense is perhaps the most important duty of all the officers
of any health and welfare service be they health visitors, other nursing officers, public health
inspectors or social workers. In addition the Council agreed to the appointment of a Health
Education Officer who has been most active in publicising the social services provided by the
Council and in using all the modern techniques available for altering attitudes to such matters
as home accidents, mental health, and a whole range of other health problems.
Mental Health.
During the year the number of referrals to the mental health social workers steadily increased
so that, in addition to the statutory duties which made heavy demands on the staff, a
substantial amount of community care was undertaken.
Co-Ordinating Committee.
The practice of the London County Council of having a Co-ordinating Committee of
Officers chaired by the Medical Officer of Health, with the Children's Officer and Senior Social
Worker as Vice-Chairman and Secretary respectively, was continued and it is gratifying to pay
tribute to the work done, not only by the members of the Co-ordinating Committee, but also by
the Social Workers and other Officers who worked so closely together in case conferences for the
benefit of the families concerned.
Co-Ordination.
The Council has decided that the services for which it is responsible shall be grouped
for administrative purposes under five Chief Officers. The Health, Welfare and Children's Services
form one such group and this arrangement has facilitated a co-ordinated approach to so many tasks
which are common to the three services.
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