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Large-scale responsibilities were assumed as a result of legislation regulating the minding of young
children in private houses and in nurseries.
The home nursing service was taken over from the voluntary association and integrated with the
Borough's domicilary services.
Advisory health circles for elderly people were started at which health advice was given by medical
and nursing staff, in close co-operation with the health education officer.
The scope of work done by the mentally handicapped at day centres and training centres was
enlarged, in particular by the commencement of an industrial centre designed to undertake work more on
the lines of that done in industry.
The mental health social work was still in a relatively early stage of development in April.1965, and
considerable progress was made, which was reflected in a considerably increased staff organised on a team
basis. Co-operation with the hospital service was fostered, and a consultant psychiatrist was attached to the
mental health team. A small number of flats were provided to enable patients to rehabilitate themselves for
life in the community under the guidance of a social worker.
A comprehensive chiropody service was developed by the merging under the Borough of the local
health authority and voluntary foot clinics, with extension to domiciliary patients.
There was a gradual and fruitful increase of co-operation with general practitioners in all spheres, for
mothers and children, for the elderly and for the mentally disordered. Health visitors, midwives, district
nurses and mental health social workers were attached to group practices. Surgeries were planned for building
in three health centres.
The health education programme was greatly expanded to cover all sections of the community, and
there was active co-operation with the school authorities. Adult students were attached to various officers for
experience and field work training.
There was a consistent increase in social work for venereal disease contacts and a decrease for the
tuberculosis, in each case reflecting statistical trends.
The department acted as co-ordinator of the registers of handicapped persons up to seventeen years
of age. Over 2000 children aged 0-5 were included in a'Risk Register'and a similar number above that age
on the "Handicapped Register". All were kept under review for medical and social care.
The school health and school dental services were continued on behalf of the Inner London Education
Authority. Two new special investigation clinics were started. New problems, e.g. in relation to drugs,
were met.
Liaison was maintained with institutions for higher education in giving advice on student health and
on radiological proctection.
The meals services for the elderly and for invalids showed substantial growth, and meals were served at
weekends to those who need them.
An outstanding achievement was the bringing into operation in October, 1969, of the last two smoke
control zones, which will complete the Borough's clean air programme by 1970.
In the field of housing, the establishment of the new London Borough with its larger scope led to
many developments. While concluding the 1961/65 Slum Clearance Programme, a survey was carried out
which resulted in the new Programme for 1966/70. An early measure was the representation of the
Beaconsfield Buildings, comprising 369 flats; these tenement flats were subsequently acquired by the
Greater London Council, with whom there has been close liaison throughout in regard to all proposed
clearances. Surveys were undertaken of houses in multiple occupation with a view to improvement under
the Housing Acts, 1961 and 1964, and improvement areas were designated. The importance was recognised
of enforcing the enactments governing means of escape in case of fire, and a long-term programme was
instituted to cover some 25,000 premises. For other action under the 1957 and 1961 Acts, it was found to
be economical and effective to define areas for concentrated action.
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