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THE FIRST FIVE YEARS
The London Borough of Islington came into being on 1st April 1965, and its Public Health Department
from the same date. Planning was undertaken some six months earlier, in consultation with the former
health authorities, the London County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Finsbury and Islington.
Much help was given by their Medical Officers of Health and I regret that they are no longer associated with
the department. Dr. J.A. Scott died just before 1st April, 1965, and Dr. C.O.S. Blyth Brooke and Dr. V.
Freeman retired subsequently. Happily, Dr. A.B. Stewart who succeeded Dr. Scott, was appointed as Medical
Adviser to the Inner London Education Authority, and I have continued to work closely with him in my
capacity as Principal School Medical Officer.
The department's central office at 159/167 Upper Street, N.1 was established, and accommodated all
the central administrative and inspectorate staff, except that space did not provide for the mental health
team who were based at Finsbury Health Centre. Field staff continued to be employed at various centres
throughout the Borough, and a policy of decentralisation was applied to home visitors for the elderly, to
home nurses and, for some of their activities, to public health inspectors.
A review of premises was undertaken and a development plan drawn up which when completed will
include thirteen health centres of varying content, thirteen day nurseries with approximately 750 places, and
ten other establishments, mainly for the mentally disordered. The use of a number of small unsatisfactory
premises will be discontinued. By the end of 1969, the following new premises had been provided by
building or adaptation -
— Rosemary Junior Training School for Mentally Subnormal Children, incorporating a small special care
unit for multi-handicapped pupils.
— Richmond Avenue Day Centre for Mentally III Adults.
— Finsbury Day Centre for Mentally III Adults (at Finsbury Health Centre).
— Bennett Court Training Centre for Mentally Subnormal Adults.
— Blythe Mansions Maternal and Child Health Centre (by expansion of existing sub-centre).
— Isledon Road Maternity and Child Welfare Centre.
— Isledon Road Industrial Centre for Mentally Subnormal Adults (this and the preceding centre were sited
in the former Civil Defence Centre).
— Centralised Disinfecting, Bathing and Laundry services at Finsbury Health Centre (basement).
— Holloway Special Care Unit for multi-handicapped children (completed but not opened till early 1970).
By arrangement with voluntary organisations, to whom grant was paid, new services were instituted -
— a day nursery for severely subnormal young children;
— a day nursery for children 1-5 years of age,
— a centre to help socially isolated or inadequate mothers;
— a day centre for mentally disturbed elderly people.
The progress towards the completion of the scheme for the River Place Health Centre was a major
activity, and is described in detail elsewhere in this report.
It is possible only to sketch briefly the other activities of the five-year period . Former services were
taken over and in a large measure continued. The opportunity was always taken to review them and to adapt
them wherever possible to new needs and new opportunities.
At maternal and child health centres, family planning and cytology sessions were introduced. A large
expansion of the family planning service was planned, working in close association with the Family Planning
Association, to whom the Borough had allocated clinic accommodation and rented offices at Finsbury
Health Centre. A domiciliary service was commenced for women in great need, who were unlikely to attend
clinics.
Measles vaccination of young children was added to the full programme of vaccination and immunisation.
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