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HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
227/233 Commercial Road,
London,
El 2BU
TO: The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen
I present the Annual Report on the health of the Borough for 1969.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
In July, continued swabbingof two children during investigations after admission to hospital
proved the existence of C. Diphtheria (Mitis) The children had arrived some days previously from
Malta to join their parents living in the borough. None had attended school here. There were no
positive findings found when close contacts were treated.
As is discussed elsewhere in this report by the Chest Physicians, tuberculosis notifications,
though continuing to decline, still remain at a level higher than the national average,
MENTAL HEALTH
Proposals to link the department's services for the mentally ill with those of the London
Hospital and St, Clement's Hospital were agreed during the year. The establishment is to be
increased and further conjoint appointments made between hospital and local health authority
staffs. Shared responsibility for community work by the hospital social workers, with increasing
participation by our workers in the care of hospital in-patients, will go far to create a
comprehensive care service in this field.
The new purpose-built junior training school was ready for occupation in December, and
arrangements were made for an official opening by the Deputy Mayor in the new year. Good liaison
has continued with the Tower Hamlets branch of the Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.
This organisation has a strong parents' association which complements the work done in
our cent res by the i r taking a great interest in the children's progress, and in the running of many
extra-mural activities, Some of these latter are now held in the new premises, at night as
required, with the consent of the Health Committee A truly professional variety performance was
put on by this local branch in the presence of the Secretary of State for Education and Science,
the Rt. Hon Edward Short, M P Early legislation is promised for the transfer to Education
Departments of the responsibility for education and training of mentally subnormal children. At
least the Health Committee hets the consolation that it will hand over better premises, than it
acquired in 1965, to its successors the Inner London Education Authority. Plans for a new adult
training centre to serve both sexes, and integrate our existing Industrial Training Centre for
males with the Centre for females are being made with a view to the commencement of building in
1970.
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