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Mortuary.—The alteration in the shifts worked by the National
Fire Service personnel stationed at the Town Hall deprived us of our
Mortuary Attendant, who was a member of the National Fire Service.
The Coroner for the area was approached, and after consultation it
was decided that bodies requiring a post-mortem examination should
be conveyed direct to the Prince of Wales's Hospital, where mortuary
facilities are adequate. Our mortuary is still being maintained,
and will be available for use as and when required. Thirty-nine
post-mortem examinations were carried out during the year.
Laboratory Facilities.—As noted in the annual report for
1945, laboratory facilities became available on the 1st April, 1946,
at the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale. Specimens
are collected daily, during the early afternoon, the Public Health
Department being one of the collecting points on a route served
by a vehicle from the laboratory.
The fact that specimens sent in after the appointed time have
to be retained until the following day, was not at first particularly
acceptable to general practitioners. They soon, however, accustomed
themselves to the new routine, and no great difficulties have
been encountered. Urgent specimens received in the late afternoon,
at night or during week-ends, have either to be taken by one of our
own vans to Colindale, or can be sent to the laboratory at Coppetts
Road Isolation Hospital, where an expert technician is employed.
We are thus adequately covered for any reasonable eventuality. It
might also be stated that we still retain our own laboratory in
Wolves Lane. This is used for emergency work, particularly the
investigation of diphtheria swabs delivered late in the day.
The Laboratory Service provided by the Central Public Health
Laboratory is very much fuller than any comparable service available
in the past. The Laboratory staff is prepared to carry out detailed
investigations, on behalf either of general practitioners or of the
Public Health Department, while any reasonable type of bacteriological
examination is undertaken. This has placed a powerful
new weapon at our disposal. It might also be stated that the service
is free.
The opportunities available for personal contact with the
Director of the Laboratory Service and his assistants are also
valuable and appreciated. Individual problems and problems
affecting the district as a whole can be discussed at length, on a more
personal and intimate basis. This is an obvious advantage. The
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