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Discussions have been held on maternity liaison and from 1972 there should be
a unified maternity liaison committee meeting regularly to ensure an effective
comprehensive service. No doubt, with the continued diminution of domiciliary cases,
the role of the hospital side will tend to greater dominance. However, there are still
some patients who much prefer, where possible, to have a home delivery. But, in the
near future there might well be a combined midwifery service in this borough.
Provision of health centres continues to be very slow due. for the most part,
to the reluctance of general practitioners seeking to work in the same In addition
to the plans for a health centre in the Watney Street development, firm proposals
are now in hand to build a further centre in Gill Street. This will be combined
with the provision of a child guidance clinic to cater for the south east part of
the borough, including the Isle of Dogs
The health education section was brought up to establishment again in the year.
Emphasis was placed on anti-smoking, venereal diseases and cervical cytology, as can
be seen from the report on page 28- Venereal disease contact tracing by the social
workers seconded to the Whitechapel Clinic continued to be highly effective as
summarised in the account on page 19,
Good relationships were forged with the new directorate of social services
Medical and nursing advice made available has been readily accepted. There have been
no demarcation disputes as between the roles of the health department staff and the
social workers Case conferences at field level are proving effective incombining the
expertise from both departments in catering for clients' needs.
The borough council has engaged the services of the London Boroughs Management
Services Unit to advise on a general reorganisation of the Council's services, One
of the four directorates set up, the Directorate of Community Services, includes
overall administration of the departments of Health Housing Management Libraries,
Baths, Public Control and the Recreat ion and Entertainments sec tion The Medical 0 f f icer
of Health/Principal School Medical Off ice r was appoint ed the f i r st Director of Community
Services With the advent of the unification of the National Health Service, it is
planned by 1972/73 to form the transferring personal health services into a viable
administrative unit which can be 'hived' off to function in the future operations of
the district health services management team
Slum clearance continued during the year. After completion of the agreed quinquennial
programme up to 1976-7, clearance of the greater part of the borough's unfit
housing will have been concluded. The continued hold up of plans for the redevelopment
of the local docks area, pending an overall review, leaves large riverside areas
b1ighted
Once again, as we all face reorganisation with its attendant uncertainties and
anxieties for staff, I can report that the department has maintained its high standards
for the betterment of the public health in the borough, For this my thanks primarily
go to all the staff of the department as also to the Chief Executive and my senior
colleagues in other departments who have assisted in the integrated running of all the
borough services
From the respective Chairmen and members of committees I acknowledge continued
encouragement and help in the implementation of our work during the year,
I am,
Yours faithful1y,
R. W. WATTON
Medical Officer of Health and
MAY, 1972 Principal School Medical Officer.
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