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Public Health Department,
Civic Centre,
Dagenham.
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND BURGESSES OF THE BOROUGH OF DAGENHAM.
I have to report on the health of the citizens of the Borough of Dagenhara
during 1963- At the time of writing the introduction to this report interest
centres upon the reorganisation of London Local Government and the forthcoming
amalgamation of practically the whole of Dagenham and Barking to form the new
Greater London Borough of Barking.
During 1963 progress was made in the borough in many directions. I
particularly wish to draw attention to the progress which has been made in
Health Education. Since the advent of Mr. Self to the staff of the borough as
Health Education Officer, progress has been maintained year by year. A point
has now been reached where it is necessary to consider plans for the future
expansion of Health Education activities. It is appropriate that the 'Cohen'
report on Health Education has appeared recently and that its recommendations
as to organisation, staffing, priorities and training in methods of Health
Education are there as a guide to the new Council in considering this service.
I have been fortunate in being invited again to broadcast Health Week for
Schools in the Home Service. I gave also a number of talks to old people in
both "Indian Summer" and its successor "Home This Afternoon".
I have recently, with the approval of the Public Health Committee, agreed
to contribute a short article each month to the Barking and Dagenham Post
dealing with health subjects.
Health Education in the Dagenham schools expanded during the year and
requests for talks increase steadily. It is hoped that in the not too distant
future the staff position will permit of properly organised courses being
offered to more schools than is possible at present.
The work of the public health inspectors reported upon by Mr. Prior has
continued to increase. The clean air campaign and extension of smoke control
areas makes steady though perhaps unspectacular progress.
Dr. Packer was invited during the year to speak on "The Effects of Changes
in Medical Treatment and Nursing" at a Nurses' Study Day organised by the East
Suffolk County Council, and a shortened version of this address is included in
my report.
The adolescent clinic increased in popularity during the year. Here again,
health education was carried out successfully not only for the children but,
what may prove to be more important, for the parents as well.
Progress has also been made in the Kingsley Hall assessment nursery and the
many people who visited during the year expressed interest in the pioneer work
carried out there with handicapped children and their parents.
The staff position is still difficult. Health visitors in particular are
in short supply, though securing approval from the County Council for two extra
car allowances for district health visitors will, I hope, help a little in the
future. I hope that amalgamation and the greater authority conferred on the
new Council for the London Borough of Barking will enable experiments to be made
in the use of health visitors and perhaps the introduction of social workers into
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