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REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE CITY OF LONDON FOR THE YEAR 1966
To the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Commoners of the Corporation of London.
Guildhall.
e.c.2.
Telephone: 01-606 3030.
My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of my Department during the year
1966.
In my previous Annual Report mention was made of the legislation imposing upon the Corporation
of London new responsibilities and duties in connection with Personal Health and
Welfare Services. When these services were first transferred it was realised that in view of the
small residential population of the City of London, the quantity of work would not be great, but
though the small population makes it difficult to provide and administer certain services this
has proved an advantage in other ways.
The organisation set up by the Corporation in April, 1965 allowed for actual search for
people in need by questionnaire, visiting and neighbourhood enquiry. This has been successful
as demonstrated by the increase in the numbers in the General Registers. The people so discovered
were not all seriously disabled and it was necessary to ascertain that they were really
in need. This is, however, very rewarding work and very much more can be done with those cases
which are discovered before they develop into insoluble problems.
All preventive and social medicine work is time-consuming and sometimes very little is
seen for all the work. Very often all that can be hoped for is that the most unremitting efforts
will prevent the patient becoming worse. The success of the scheme reflects both the professional
skill of the staff and their willingness and efficiency.
Finally, I should like to express my appreciation of the courtesy and consideration which
the Chairman and members of the Port and City of London Health Committee and Welfare Committee
have extended to me during the year.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
W.G. SWANN, M.D., B.Sc.
Medical Officer of Health, Port and City of London.
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