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INTRODUCTION
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee
I have the honour to present ray report on the health of tho Borough
during 13Q+.
At the time of writing, the transfer of services to the London Borough
of Bromley from the constituent authorities of Beckenham, Penge, Bromley.,
Orpington and that part of Chislehurst and Sidcup south of the A, 2.0 trunk road,
together with the appropriate services in this area provided by the Kent
County Council has taken place.
This will be my last report to the Beckenham Committee and consequently
ray prefatory remarks will be short and tinged with regret at the loss of
contact with certain member colleagues who have supported me during my
thirteen years in Beckenham as their Medical Officer of Health.
As you will know, I have been appointed to the post of Medical Officer
of Health of the new London Borough of Bromley. I hope to receive the
continued support of those members of the Beckenham Authority who have
become elected representatives to the new authority and to earn the support
of the elected members from the other authorities as our joint hopes and
plans are achieved.
In previous reports there has been emphasis on the need to expand
services provided under the National Assistance Act 1948 for the welfare of
elderly persons, handicapped persons and the homeless and to co-ordinate
the statutory services with the role of voluntary organisations. This
challenge should be met in the new borough by use of its greater resources
and by the allocation of this work to a separate department of the main
Health and Welfare Section of the Authority.
It is hoped that there will be an expansion of services provided under
the National Health Services Act 1946 and Mental Health Act 1959, in
particular of mental after care in the community, including additional training
centres and hostels. Especially should there be greater opportunity for
officers employed, including Medical Officers, Health Visitors, Midwives,
Home Help staff, Mental Health staff, Inspectorial and supporting administrative
staff, to develop their skills by various forms of training.
At the same time, I believe there is a still greater future for the
environmental services in meeting nev; challenges under Housing improvement,
Smoke Control, Food Hygiene, Noise Control, Pest Control and improved
general hygiene. The amalgamation of staffs from the constituent
authorities should enable planned programmes for these to be phased more
efficiently over wider areas.
In conclusion, I once again thank the Chairman and Members of the
Health Committee for their encouragement throughout 1964 and congratulate
in particular my own staff for duties carried out most efficiently despite
increased pressures of personal anxieties and with a true dedication to
local Government Service
L.R.L. EDWARDS
Medical Officer of Health,
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