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The Ambulance Service was transferred to the County Council
on 5th July, 1948. It was fortunately possible to continue the
previous arrangements whereby ambulances were stationed at the
rear of the Town Hall. This has allowed the Ambulance Service
to continue more or less as before, with such amendments, particularly
in regard to financial matters, as were brought about by. the
introduction of the National Health Service. The functioning of
the Ambulance Service during the latter half of 1948 does not come
within the scope of this Report. It might be said, however, that
cordial relations have been maintained between the staff of the
new Ambulance Service and the Public Health Department.
Mortuary—The position with regard to the Council Mortuary
at the rear of the Town Hall is as set out in the report for 1946.
The Mortuary is still being maintained, and is available for use
as and when required. No post-mortem examinations were carried
out in the Mortuary during the period under review.
Laboratory Facilities. -The Central Public Health Laboratory,
Colindale, has continued to carry out bacteriological
examinations from cases within the Borough. An important
change in procedure was brought about by the setting up of a
branch laboratory in Edmonton Town Hall. This laboratory
began to receive specimens from the Borough on 15th November,
1948. The branch laboratory at Coppets Wood Hospital (formerly
Finchley, Hornsev, Wood Green and Friern Barnet Isolation
Hospital) is also available for urgent work during week-ends and
after office hours.
The staff of the Central Public Health Laboratory has been
most helpful in a number of different ways. They undertook the
investigation of a localised outbreak of streptococcal infection
which occurred at Tottenhall Road School in December, 1948. In
addition, thev have co-operated in the investigation of localised
foci of infectious disease manifesting themselves at our various
Day Nurseries. The Director of the Public Health Laboratory
attended the first meeting of Canteen workers and Cafe proprietors
with their staffs, held at Minchenden School Canteen in connection
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