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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the London Borough of Islington
INTRODUCTION
The year 1969 may be called "The Year of the Consultants". The Public Health Department in
common with the rest of the Council's service was the subject of a review and comprehensive report by
Messrs. Booz Allen and Hamilton. The report followed, and indeed reflected, the Government's "Report
of The Committee on Local Authority and Allied Personal Social Services" (The Seebohm Report). In
accepting the Consultants' recommendations, the Council made them subject to the Government's
pronouncement on the Seebohm Report. As this pronouncement was awaited at the end of the year, I am
unable to comment on the likely effect on the department. I think it is fair to stress that for the officers
concerned with the services the knowledge that review and possible reorganisation are "in the air" is very
disturbing, especially as many fears are raised, however groundless they may ultimately prove to be. This was
the more so as a similar state of suspense had existed in 1967 when the review by the London Boroughs'
Management Services Unit took place, only to be superseded by the Consultants' review.
I hasten to say that any disturbance in the mind of the staff did not adversely affect the service
rendered to the public. This was due to their loyalty to the Council and pride in their own work. Reference
to the following pages will reveal the extent and depth of the service provided. While I appreciate the high
standard of work done by my senior officers in planning and controlling the work done, they will I know
agree with me in paying tribute to those who at various levels have performed the day-to-day field-work with
consistent efficiency and humanity.
Under the reorganisation the post of Medical Officer of Health was redesignated Director of Public
Health and Medical Officer of Health.
A major change was the merging of the former two main committees for Personal Health and Environmental
Health in one new committee, the Social Services and Health Committee, which also brought within
its ambit the work of the Welfare and Housing Management Services. This change made possible closer
consultation and action on matters of common interest. A large measure of delegation to officers was
approved.
Three large pieces of new work called for attention during the year. Two of these were foreshadowed
in my last annual report, viz. the Government's policy outlined in the White Paper "Old Houses into New
Homes" which was enacted in the Housing Act, 1969, and the increased concern with the conditions of
private child-minding based on the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968. The third enactment was
the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act, 1968, which extended and tightened the regulation of
night cafes. These three services called for a large measure of forecasting and planning, visiting and inspecting,
and making decisions, with reports to Committee as necessary, to give effect to the relevant legislation.
The last two Smoke Control areas came into operation on 1st October, 1969, and the objective of
completing the Programme by 1970 will thus be achieved. The results are evident in the vastly improved
atmosphere of the whole area. The "pea-soup" fogs of the past are now happily only a memory of the older
generation. Over the years much work has been done in inspecting and planning, in interviews and correspondence
with the public, and in dealing with grants. It is a pleasure to record this, not only for itself but as
being typical of so much of the work which is done by the Council's officers.
Works of adaptation were in progress during the year at Isledon Road Civil Defence Centre, Camden
Road Training Centre and Finsbury Health Centre. The first named was completed and opened as an
Industrial Centre for Mentally Subnormal Adults. The others were near completion at the end of the year.
Further links were established with the general medical practitioner service. Seven family doctors
agreed to take surgeries at the proposed Health Centre in River Place, N.1, where work on the site had begun
at the end of the year, with a completion date early in 1971. Three doctors agreed to co-operate in the
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