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8
The problems of Public Health administration in Hackney have
become so difficult and so pressing that Hackney decided to revert to a
whole-time appointment of Medical Officer of Health in Hackney but
there is not the slightest doubt that the close co-operation and mutual
assistance which has always been in operation between the Public Health
Departments of Hackney and Stoke Newington will continue, and it is
evident that the re-appointment of Dr. King as part-time Medical Officer
of Health of Stoke Newington is in the best interests of Stoke Newington
and Hackney. It will be the return of the rightful heir, so to speak, and
the Public Health Departments of both Boroughs should benefit by the
new arrangements.
There has always been a close association between Hackney and
Stoke Newington. In the Vestry Days before the formation of Metropolitan
Boroughs, Hackney and Stoke Newington formed one Vestry,
one Board of Guardians and Hackney Hospital served both the Boroughs
of Hackney and Stoke Newington, and the I.C.A.A., the C.O.S. and the
King's Home for Nurses served both Boroughs although there is now a
separate District Nursing Association in Stoke Newington. The Hackney
Mortuary serves both Boroughs and the Tuberculosis Dispensary at the
Metropolitan Hospital which was formerly administered conjointly by
Stoke Newington and Hackney, still serves Stoke Newington and North
Hackney. The Tuberculosis Care Committee, based at the Metropolitan
Hospital, also is confined to work in both Boroughs. The Member of
Parliament for Stoke Newington also sits for North Hackney.
Quite a number of former Stoke Newington officers have obtained
appointments in Hackney in the past. The present Chief Sanitary
Inspector, a former Administrative Officer in the Public Health
Department, and the present Borough Engineer in Hackney are
instances of appointments made in Hackney from Stoke Newington staff.
As a result of the transfer of the Borough's Personal Services to the
London County Council in 1948, I was appointed part-time Medical
Officer of Health when Dr. King went to the London County Council
Divisional Medical Officership and in view of the close associations of
Hackney and Stoke Newington in the public health and social service
spheres, I took over the appointment of Medical Officer of Health of
Stoke Newington in addition to Hackney with satisfaction, and indeed
after the first short period of getting acquainted with the personnel of the
Public Health Department, I was, and am, as much at home in the Public
Health Department of Stoke Newington as I am in Hackney, where I am
now completing 32 years service.
It will cause me real regret to give up my membership in the Public
Health Departments of Stoke Newington and Hackney although
I am glad to hand over the responsibility of my office to the able and
conscientious men who are to succeed me in both Boroughs, and who will
bring about those improvements that are now so urgent.