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HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
ELMFIELD HOUSE,
HIGH STREET,
TEDDINGTON,
MIDDLESEX.
July, 1966.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for 1965.
The information as set out in the following pages is a distillate of the loyal,
conscientious endeavour of the health department staff, who were called upon to
contend with the implementation of the London Local Government reorganisation.
The differences in emphasis, style, and methods of the former authorities has been
accepted as an opportunity and a challenge to rethink many facets of the services
provided. Change must be allowed to evolve, since local customs are born of local
experience.
Behind the recorded data and statistics, there exists individuals, who are people,
and have asked for help. The health department, above all else, is in "business" to
help people. The index of productivity is reflected in the amelioration of social
suffering, although the financial yardstick must always be at hand.
The Preventive Ideal should always be maintained. It is often easier to find the
solution in the field of community medicine by terms of care, rather than the deeper
and more difficult preventive procedures. If preventive measures are within the port'
folio of the Health Services, then all our efforts should be concentrated on this basic
philosophy.
During the year a joint sub-committee of the Health and Welfare Committees
prepared a plan for the development of the health and welfare services over the next
10 years 1966-76, and this was subsequently approved for submission to the Ministry
of Health.
The Health Committee gave very careful consideration to the question of fluorida'
tion of the water supply at the end of the year, and had not taken a decision thereon.
There are several lacunae in the local health services, especially in the field of
mental health and the elderly. Expansion of these services will be necessary. A
realistic approach to the solution of these needs will be dependent on your available
financial resources.
The goodwill, tolerance, and understanding, which I received from both Dr. John
Maddison, Area Medical Officer, Middlesex County Council, and Dr. Eric Pereira,
Divisional Medical Officer, Surrey County Council, during the preparatory months of
1964/1965 is acknowledged with thanks.
I would like to place on record the well deserved honour bestowed on Dr. John
Maddison by his election as President of the Society of Medical Officers of Health for
the year 1965/66.
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