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Laboratory Facilities.—The arrangement whereby the Central
Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, carries out bacteriological
examinations from cases within the Borough has worked very well indeed
throughout the year. A daily collection of specimens is made
from the Town Hall. Urgent specimens received after the collection
has been made are taken either to the Central Public Health Laboratory,
or to the Laboratory at Coppetts Road Isolation Hospital. Use is
still made of the Council's Laboratory in Wolves Lane for the
examination of urgent throat swabs received late in the afternoon,
at week-ends, or after office hours.
The Central Public Health Laboratory staff has been most helpful
in the investigation of outbreaks of measles at our day nurseries.
A Medical Officer was sent from the Laboratory on 16 occasions,
and carried out detailed investigation of cases and contacts. Contacts
were supplied with various types of ' 'measles modifiers'',
with very satisfactory results.
The services of the Laboratory are also available for consultative
purposes at all times. Opportunity was taken on more than one
occasion during the year to remind General Practitioners of the
facilities available, and to invite a fuller use of the Laboratory
services. Particular emphasis was laid on the assistance which
could be obtained from post-pharyngeal swabs in the diagnosis of
pertussis. Many General Practitioners acted upon my letter, and
sent an increased number of such swabs for examination.
The Laboratory arranged several short courses on food hygiene
on similar lines to those held during 1946. Seven Canteen Supervisors
and members of the various school canteen staffs attended these
courses, which were of very great practical value. The Director of
the Laboratory Service states that further courses will be held in the
near future.
It has not yet been possible to arrange for the setting up of
branch laboratories in this part of Middlesex, as was suggested in
the Annual Report for 1946. So far as Southgate is concerned, the
need is not urgent, as we are adequately covered by the present
service.
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