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Health Office,
Gentleman's Row,
Enfield,
Middlesex.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the London Borough of Enfield.
I have pleasure in presenting my report on the health of the borough for the
year 1971.
The report surveys in some detail the activities of the Health Department
during the year, and is presented in three main sections dealing with the three
major aspects of the work of the department - personal health, environmental
health and school health.
I am glad to say that the vital statistics for the borough compare favourably
with the national figures but it is depressing to have to report an increase in
deaths from lung cancer by 20% over last year's figure and nearly 30% over
the figure three years ago.
In the realm of communicable diseases, it is disappointing to note the
increased incidence of venereal disease. It is disappointing, also, to have to
record a fall in the number and percentage of children for whom their
parents accepted various immunisation procedures against infectious diseases.
During the year certain activities of the Health Department, especially those
concerned with Mental Health, became the responsibility of the newly
formed Social Services Department.
The emphasis placed by the Council and by its predecessor on the importance
of developmental plans for the Community Mental Health Services has
resulted in the present extensive services provided within the Borough.
These - detailed in the body of this Report - include a twenty-four hour
cover for domiciliary services and hospital admissions; a variety of hostels;
an adult training centre providing not only a wide range of assembly work
but also a laundry and contract gardening; and a junior training centre (now
Waverley School) with a nursery group and special care unit. The services
include arrangements for foster care, guardianship, holiday camps and other
holiday arrangements, and provision has also been made for psychiatric,
psycho-geriatric and assessment clinics, a social centre and evening social
clubs, discussion groups and sports days.
A request was received from the Department of Health and Social Security
for co-operation in promoting parallel development of community and
hospital services for the mentally ill. This is of particular importance in view
of the planned hospital development within the Borough in the immediate
future.
Once again, I am indebted and grateful to members of the department for
their invaluable help in preparing this report and for their loyal and diligent
support during the year.
I would also like to record my grateful appreciation of the support and
encouragement of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and members of the Health
and other Committees of the Council and the willing co-operation of
colleagues in other departments.
WILLIAM D. HYDE
Medical Officer of Health
Principal School Medical Officer
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