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The first medical practitioner to the Scheme, Dr. P.M. Higgins, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.P., was
appointed in 1968. The first dental practitioner, Mr. David W, Johnston, B.D.S., M.P.H., was
appointed in 1969 and took up duty on the 1st September 1969. To ensure the fullest integration
of all branches of the health services, both these officers have been given oppointments on the staff
of Guy's Hospital and it is intended they will also undertake the clinical care of all the categories
of persons for whom the local authority has responsibility, as part-time officers of the Health and
Welfare Department.
ERITH
Under the redevelopment proposals for the centre of Erith, already under consideration before
1965, the premises of three medical practices will be affected and will have to be demolished. It
was agreed that alternative accommodation in the new development would be provided for the
doctors concerned as near as practicable to their existing premises.
The doctors concerned expressed a willingness to co-operate with the local health authority for
the joint use of any premises provided. This was a most acceptable offer as the nearest local
authority clinic at Hainault is in unsatisfactory and inadequate buildings and is also inconveniently
sited. The Council agreed to co-operate fully with these medical practitioners and a site was
allocated for a Health Centre and plans prepared. In the course of a review of the redevelopment
proposals it was found necessary to find a fresh site for the Health Centre and at the end of 1969 a
stage had been reached where a new site acceptable to both the medical practitioners and the
Health & Welfare Department had been earmarked and detailed plans for the new centre were
being prepared.
CANCER
Due to the ageing of the population. Cancer is now one of the main causes of death. Whilst our
knowledge of this disease and its cause and treatment is far from complete, there are certain types
of cancer in which a cause is well established, e.g. certain chemicals used in industry which can
cause skin or bladder cancer, lung cancer from cigarette smoking, etc.
Prevention of the industrial forms of cancer is mainly a matter for Industrial Medical Officers
and the Factory Inspectorate, as prevention is closely allied to technical procedures. In the case of
lung cancer due to cigarette smoking, prevention lies entirely in the hands of the individual. The
Health Department displays posters and issues leaflets and gives talks to school children and other
organisations in an attempt to bring home to people the great danger of lung cancer.
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Another form of cancer in the prevention of which the department has been active, is cervical
cancer in women. The exact cause of this cancer is not known, but a simple, painless test enables
women who are liable to develop this type of cancer of the womb to be detached at a very early
pre-cancerous stage when a relatively simple operation can be performed to prevent the onset of
cancer later.
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