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Health Department,
Town Hall,
Tottenham, N. 15.
20th September, 1959.
To the Worshipful the Mayor,
Aldermen and Councillors.
Mr. Mayor, My Lady, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the health of the Borough
for the year ending the 31st December, 1958.
The policy for improving local housing conditions has been pursued with
vigour and good progress has been made during the year in "Slum1' Clearance
and in the provision of new housing accommodation both within and outside the
Borough.
Implementation of the Clean Air Act has made a good start and public
respo nse to its anticipated benefits widely recognised. In the preparatory work
for securing "Smoke Control Areas" the public health inspectors and clerical
department accomplished a great deal having regard to the many other duties imp osed
upon them. Under the leadership of the Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr. E.T.
Jenkins, and the Chief Clerk, Mr. A.W. Lawrence, the Council can feel the utmost
pride and confidence in the work of these departments.
During the year the Council has given special thought and consideration to
such new health problems as the increase in radiation in the atmosphere and the
merits of fluoridation of water supplies, and has sought the guidance of Government
Departments on these matters.
The vital statistics for the year have shown little change and compare
favourably with other towns in the Greater London Area. The infectious disease
rate has given no cause for anxiety. Progress in the poliomyelitis immunisation
programme has been generally up to expectations; but the erratic supplies of
vaccine created many problems in attempting to meet all the demands of general
medical practitioners, hospital authorities and those of our own special clinics.
The medical, nursing and clerical staff, however, coped well with the exceptional
pressures and difficulties as they arose.
As for many years past the arrangements for interchange of medical staff
between hospital and local authority continued to the benefit of both. Further
opportunity too was afforded during the year for co-operation in research by
members of the staff and in particular the health visitors.
Of special interest are the recommendations contained in the recent report
of the Royal Commission on Mental Health - in particular the proposed re-orientation
of the mental health services towards community care and the necessary expansion
in many spheres of local authority work. Already conferences have been