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HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
227/233. Commercial Road,
Stepney, E. 1.
To THE MAYOR. ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS
OP THE LONDON BOROUGH OP TOWER HAMLETS.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This report on the health of the area for the year 1965 incorporates the
work of three metropolitan boroughs,and Division 5 of the London County Council
in respect of the first quarter January to March. Thereafter, on the appointed
day, April 1st, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, set up as a result of the
London Government Act 1963. became fully operative.
Such a simple statement embodies one of the greatest reorganisations in
local government since the formation of County Borough/County Councils in 1888.
or the metropolitan boroughs in 1901. Long preparation to lay the groundwork
by the staffs of the former local authority units was essential. It would be
difficult to determine which was the more daunting task: to amalgamate the
health departments of three very independent, individualistic local sanitary
authorities in the East End, or to detach a functional L.C.C. health division
limb from the main body at County Hall and marry it with the amalgamating
boroughs. High praise and gratitude 1s due tothe various working parties, who in
their detailed recommendations gave guidance to the embryonic staff of the new
borough before April 1st 1965,which helped greatly to plan for a smooth changeover.
Inevitably, there was a general feeling of insecurity amongst the staff
regarding their future. This, associated with the endeavour of all London
Boroughs to engage the 'best' staff, sparked off a staff explosion which persisted
until the end of the year. Many were called, and many were chosen, such
that at times the filling of establishments led to a movement laterally and
vertically between departments of the same borough,as well as between different
boroughs. Despite the resulting difficulties of discontinuity of service of
certain grades of staff, particularly administrative and clerical, the
service to the public in this area continued unabated. Due praise should be
accorded to those members of the staff remaining loyal, and often working over
many months long hours under very trying conditions. These, as always, are
the 'leaven in the lump' who form the mainstay of any department through the
years. By the end of the year, a state of balanced equilibrium was reached
from which it is hoped to build a stable future.
A brief description of the new borough is given in a subsequent pag e.
Although in population, 204,560, Tower Hamlets is smaller than some other new
London boroughs, the complex problems of the East End, and its riparian
association, more than compensate for a deficiency in numbers.
2.