View report page

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 1972.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Notifications received of infectious diseases showed an increase on last year but
this was largely accountable by increased measles notifications. The number of primary
notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis was the highest since the formation of the
borough in 1965.
BIRTH RATE
This year's live birth rate of 12.43 births per 1,000 population was the lowest
ever and for the first time the "natural increase in population" became a decrease, deaths
exceeding births by 230.
DOCKLAND DEVELOPMENT
Schemes for redevelopment were held up during the year whilst the Dockland Study
Team, jointly sponsored by the Greater London Council and the Department of the Environment,
continued with its survey of possible options for development. Their full report was
to be published early in 1973. Meanwhile the area of London Docks remains very much
derelict. The adjacent private development in St. Katharine's Dock proceeded apace with
the new hotel. World Trade Centre and Housing schemes under construction or planned
for the near future.
RE-ORGANISATION OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
Following publication of the consultative documents, Green papers I & 11,1972 saw
the issue of the 'grey book'. Management Arrangements for the Reorganised National
Health Service. This sets out a blue-print for the future, albeit written in management
jargon. Courses for medical administrators, and multi-professional courses have been
arranged at centres throughout the country at which some of the staff of the health
department have attended.
After some delay, a Joint Liaison Committee was to be set up in the New year following
the definition of the Area for this part of London i.e. comprising the City, Hackney,
Newham and Tower Hamlets. Of much interest to this authority, for the future, will be the
effectiveness of the links between the appropriate Area and District management of the
health services and its own environmental health services and social services department.
The question of representation by the local authority on the Area Board, and the strength
or weakness, of the Community Health Council for the district are matters of concern.
FAMILY PLANNING
Discussions were held during the year and reports to committee and Council made on
the provision of a free family planning service to residents of the borough. It was agreed
-2-