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TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE BOROUGH OF LEYTON.
Mr.Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my report on the health of the people of Leyton during
the year 1960 as required by the Minister of Health. This also includes sections on the
County Health Services (National Health Service Act, 1946 Part III Services) and the
School Health Service.
This is the second introduction to an annual report for Leyton which I have written
although I took up my appointment on the 1st March, 1960. Again, therefore, as in the
previous year, this report deals with a review of a year during which different officers
have been responsible for the work of the Health Department, and I would like to repeat
my appreciation of the excellent work undertaken by my predecessor Dr. Watkins and my
Deputy Dr. Mary Gilchrist.
Environmental Health Services.
The general incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in the year under review
is the lowest ever recorded in the borough, and indicates that one of the early problems
of Public Health, is now very largely under control. One of the most recent prophylactic
measures concerning infectious diseases relates to the control of poliomyelitis and it
is encouraging to report that only one case of poliomyelitis was notified in respect
of any Leyton resident during 1960.
The Council's slum clearance re-development programme is progressing satisfactorily
and most of the houses contained in the first scheme, the Crescent Road Area, have now
been demolished and the new housing development is well advanced. A local public enquiry
in respect of the first stage of the second area, Beaumont Road Area, was held in
October, 1960 and a report on these proceedings is included in the section of the report
dealing with sanitary circumstances (for which I am indebted to Mr.B.J.Ashcroft, Chief
Public Health inspector).
The first smoke control area was confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local
Government during 1960 and it comes into force on the 1st October, 1961. This will be
the first step in bringing one more environmental health hazard under control and I
feel that it's long term effects on the health of the community will be considerable
and result in a much lowered incidence of respiratory disorders and diseases.
Personal and School Health Services
These sections are mainly statistical and record the large volume of work undertaken
in maintaining the community health of mothers, young children, school children
and other sections of the community with particular emphasis on problem families, the
elderly and the handicapped.
In the early days of Public Health in the middle of the last century the major
community health hazards were those of the environment. Infectious diseases were rife
and the community supplies of water and food were uncontrolled and liable to heavy
contamination with disease organisms. Much of the housing was built without ordered
overall planning and was unfit for human habitation. These were the major community
(1)