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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the London Borough of Islington
INTRODUCTION
In introducing my report for the year 1965, I described the initial measures of
planning and organising for the inauguration of the new Public Health Department. I
was able to confirm that the department had taken shape and some new developments had
been initiated. This progress was continued during 1966, which as seen in retrospect
was a year of consolidation. There were a number of new undertakings and expansions of
existing services, which will be described in the succeeding pages. Among them,
symptomatic of the wide range of the Department's responsibilities, may be mentioned
the growing interest in the more dependent members of the population, such as the
elderly and the handicapped both in mind and in body. Long term concern for the health
and happiness of women has been shown in the development of cervical cytology testing
and of family planning on medical grounds. The field of health education has been
expanded on a broad front, and of particular interest is the assessment of the
achievements since 1962 of the Smoking Advisory Centre which has been a pioneer venture
in approaching one of the big social problems of the age. Needless to say, this new
work has not interfered with the maintenance of the other health services in the
Department. In common with all other services in the land, the Department operated
within the terms of the Government's Prices and Incomes standstill during the second
half of the year.
I am particularly glad to refer to the mutual co-operation between the Department
and all those concerned in the health of the Borough. This is evidence at all levels
both within the Borough's service with the Chief Officers and their departments, and
outside the Borough's service with other Authorities. The latter are too numerous to
list in full, but I mention the Inner London Education Authority and the Greater
London Council, the London Boroughs, the Hospital Authorities, the Inner London
Executive Council and Local Medical Committee, Government Departments and other
Public Authorities, and the many Voluntary Organisations.
I am most grateful for the continued guidance and support which my colleagues
and I have received from the Members of the Council and its Committees.
STAFFING
Dr. G.C. Young, Principal Medical Officer, resigned on appointment as Deputy
Medical Officer of Health for the London Borough of Barnet. His last day of service
was 31st December 1966.
Dr. Joan Clarke was promoted to fill an additional position of Senior Medical
Officer from 1st December 1966.
The establishment of staff in all grades was kept under review and a number of
new positions added for increased work. On the whole, recruitment kept reasonably up
to the level of the establishment but turn-over remained high and there were frequent
gaps before filling vacancies. There was continuous shortage in the grade of public
health inspector.
Details of the total establishment of officers and employees are set out in
Appendix A.
In common with other departments, the scales of uniform and protective clothing
issues for officers and employees were reviewed, and a revised schedule approved.
COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
At the end of 1965, the Council approved the attachment to the Public Health
Department of two young volunteers for a period of one year. The Community Service
Volunteers is an organisation which came into existence in 1962 to enable young
people to be of help in the community to gain personal experience of social problems.
They take young men and women of all backgrounds preferably aged between 18 and 20
years (but not less than 17 years) who are ready to work anywhere in the United
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