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the functions of the new legislation had to be carried out without any
increase of staff. This meant a reduction of service in other directions
notably in home visiting.
The Kingsley Hall Assessment Centre continued to make its contribution
to a vital need in the sphere of handicapped children and both family
planning and cervical cytology while making a little progress were affected
by limitations of resources.
The Guthrie Test for the detection of phenylketonuria was introduced
during the year and should provide for the beginnings, of what may prove
in future years, a comprehensive scheme for the detection of diseases
caused by bio-chemical abnormalities, small in number though important in
their effects.
The medical examination of staff continued to take up medical resources
and to reveal that there is a need to consider at some future date the
possibility of setting up a staff health service.
The loan of sick room equipment continued to be an important function
of the Department. Almost 2,500 articles were lent during the year and
over 3,000 were still out on loan at the end of the year. The use of
incontinence pads continued to meet a need and almost 39,000 of these
were supplied.
Various aspects of the mental health service continued to develop
the Osborne Workshop, the Adult Training Centre, the Porters Avenue Day
Centre and 4 more places were secured in maisonettes where patients could
be resident under the supervision of the Mental Welfare Officers. Louise
Graham House was completed and opened.
The School Health Service continued to provide for the examination
of children who were in need of it and the counselling of parents where
necessary and the special schools provided a valuable service. The dental
service made a worth while contribution to services in the Borough for the
children under 5, school children and expectant and nursing mothers.
I would like to draw attention to the Report of the Chief Public
Health Inspector which shows considerable progress. One incident which
merits particular mention is an account of a case of typhoid fever in a
man whom it is believed contracted it on a holiday in Tangier.
A more detailed account of the services is to be found in the main
body of the Report than can be given in this short introduction. Although
as will be seen from the main body of the Report, 1969 was a year in
which we fell far short of what we had hoped to achieve it will be seen
that considerable progress was made during that year in spite of many
difficulties.
J. ADRIAN GILLET
Medical Officer of Health.
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