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8
Public Health Department,
Blue Star House,
234/244 Stockwell Road,
S.W.9.
Tel: 01-274 7722
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses
of the London Borough of Lambeth
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in presenting the first report on the health of the new London
Borough of Lambeth, which came into being on 1st April, 1965 as a result of the
London Government Act 1963. The new Borough comprises the former metropolitan
borough of Lambeth and an eastern portion of the former metropolitan borough of
Wandsworth, with a combined population of 339,560 (mid-1965), the largest of any
of the new London Boroughs.
Despite the difficulties inevitably associated with a major reorganisation of
this kind, I am pleased to be able to say that there has been no interruption or
deterioration of services to the public, many of whom were unaware of the changes
which were taking place.
I am grateful to Dr. A.B. Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the County of
London, Dr. F. Summers, Medical Officer of Health for the metropolitan borough
of Lambeth, and Dr. J. Tudor Lewis, Medical Officer of Health for the metropolitan
borough of Wandsworth, for information in this report relating to the first three
months of 1965. It was with pleasure that I learned that Dr. Summers had been
appointed Associate Medical Officer of Health in the new London Borough of
Lambeth, and I acknowledge the help and advice that he has so willingly given me
Since Dr. A.B. Stewart's appointment as Medical Adviser to the Inner London
Education Authority, it has been my pleasure as Principal School Medical Officer
to work closely with him on matters concerning the school health service.
It was the intention from the earliest days that the department should function
as one unit, but unfortunately it has had,for the time being,to be divided
geographically into two parts; matters mainly concerned with personal health
services are dealt with at Blue Star House, and matters concerning environmental
health at Offley Road, but frequent meetings of senior staff from the two addresses
offset the difficulties to some extent.
The responsibilities of the Health Department include the personal health
services, formerly administered by the London County Council, the environmental
health services, until 31st March, 1965 the concern of the metropolitan boroughs,
and the school health service, for which the Council acts as agent of the Inner
London Education Authority.