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Health Department,
Civic Centre,
Dagenham.
To: THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND BURGESSES OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BARKING.
Once again as in the Report for 1968 I must point out that the
lateness of the publication of this Report for the year 1969 is due to the
pressure of work brought about by staff shortages and by constantly
changing emphases resulting in new demands being made on the Department.
The consequent difficulties militate against the careful thought needed
to plan logical progress of work. This introduction is written at a time
when changes brought about by the Social Services Act of 1970, and the
threats of pending new legislation in 1974 overshadow so many other
considerations.
Late though it is, it is still worth considering the progress made
during 1969 and some of the incidents which occurred. The retirement of
Dr. Adamson, and the resignation of Dr. Slome and Mr. Self during the year
created gaps in the Department; the shortage of senior medical staff
still persists and still creates difficulties. The production of the
Seebohm Report which foreshadowed the setting up of Social Service Departments
produced an unsettling influence on the staff when they were just
beginning to settle down from the upheaval of 1965 caused by the
reorganisation of London Government.
During the year the establishment of the Health Education Section
which was under heavy pressure was increased by one, although economies
did not allow us to recruit an additional Assistant Health Education
Officer. It was, however, possible during the year to secure the Gale
Street Centre as the first Health Education Centre to be established in
the Borough.
During the year a film was proposed by the Barking College Photographic
Department which was to depict the work of the Dental Auxiliary and to which
the Health Department contributed. The commencement of a film strip
depicting the Osborne Workshop was also a step forward in health education.
The Department was invited to contribute to a Refresher Course held
by the Maternity and Child Health Group of the Society of Medical Officers
of Health and Miss Milbank and I contributed a talk on the Role of Health
Education in the Personal Relations of the Adolescent.
The closure of York House and the further reduction in domiciliary
confinements enabled the orientation of the midwifery services towards the
hospital and family doctor to continue.
Child Health Centres made progress in altering their function and
reshaping the service. Health education and parent counselling, together
with screening of babies and children for handicaps brought the service
nearer to the Sheldon concept.
The Child Minders Regulations introduced during the year imposed
numerous extra burdens on an already depleted health visiting staff and
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