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TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
1 have the honour to submit my report on the Health Services in the Borough for the
year 1966.
This has been a year of consolidation of services, and also a year of expansion.
Planning in conjunction with representatives of the Inner London Education Authority,
Inner London Executive Council, Inner London Local Medical Committee, Ministry
of Health officials and members of the Health Committee has taken place, culminating
in a firmly based scheme for the building of a number of Health Centres over the next
decade.
The Health Education Section of the Department is now well equipped and is
involved in many activities in the field of preventive medicine. The cumulative effect
of the many talks, more often than not illustrated with films and other material aids,
together with the constant display of health propaganda posters and leaflets is difficult
to measure, but in many small ways the workers in the field notice an increasing
awareness and practice by the public of the precepts of good health expounded to
them.
Health visiting services in many parts of the Borough are handicapped by inadequate
or unsuitable premises. In some instances Health Visitors have no facilities for
interviewing mothers in their district. In others, premises are draughty and lack
proper washing and other essential amenities. In spite of these difficulties the service
functions with quite remarkable efficiency due to the excellent efforts of the staff.
Nevertheless the need for suitable premises must be emphasised and it is hoped that
the provision of Health Centres will not be long delayed.
The maternal and School Health Dental services show an increasing number of
attendances at clinics. Centres to cover the Sydenham, Forest Hill and Brockley
areas are urgently needed. Schoolchildren from these areas have to be provided with
transport to take them to clinics in other parts of the Borough.
Increasing Mental Health services provided during the year included additional
special advisory clinics. In addition to other liaison committees a Mental Subnormality
Liaison Committee was established. This committee, which meets quarterly,
helps to promote understanding between the various branches of the health service
concerned with this aspect of mental health. The specialist advice is of great value
in considering the need of the Council's mental health services for the future. These
aspects of the service and other important developments receive comment in the
body of this report.
There were no major outbreaks of infectious disease during 1966 and the incidence
of disease generally compares very favourably with previous years.
The Infant Mortality Rate of 21.6 compares with a rate of 23.3 in 1965 for the
Borough and rates of 17.8 for London and a National figure of 18.9. The majority of
deaths which contribute to the infant mortality rate are due to congenital disturbances
or abnormalities. Research into causation and the possibility of prevention
continues.
Some improvement in the staff position of the Public Health Inspectorate has
enabled a greater deployment of staff to be made in connection with the provisions
of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, and for more detailed work in
connection with Housing to be carried out. This section's activities are still
hampered, however, by staff shortages, particularly in technical assistants. The
difficulty here is mainly one of accommodation.
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