View report page

and even here there was a general decline, especially in the notification
of whooping cough which dropped from 50 in 1971 to 10 in 1972.
I am pleased to be able to report that there was a slight general decline
in the incidence of venereal diseases in the Borough, 1972 figures
being 26 less than in 1971.
The Environmental Health Section continues to expand its services
and the Clean Air Act provisions have been put into effect over
a wider area and it is hoped to make the whole of the Borough a
smokeless area by 1975.
By the end of the year the Patrick Doody Clinic and Child Health
Centre in Wimbledon was nearing completion and plans were already
formulated for the expansion and improvement of the services,
particularly in the specially built audiology and speech therapy room.
This means the release of the Russell Road Clinic for use as a Health
Education Centre.
The health education service continues to expand and to fulfil an
important place in our services and with the continued demand for
further services, both in schools and clinics, it was necessary to appoint
an Assistant Health Education Officer.
Dr. M. Markowe, the Consultant Psychiatrist to the Authority
has less need for close contact with this Department since the mental
health services were transferred to the Social Services Department but
our liaison with the Social Services Department has been most satisfactory,
and I am sure Mr. Hutchinson, the Director of Social
Services, would wish to join me in expressing our great appreciation
for his valuable help and co-operation, when required, and we would
also like to express our appreciation of the valuable help given by
Dr. E. S. Paykel.
In August, 1972, the Government issued a White Paper setting
out proposals for establishing an integrated National Health Service
operating through Regional Health Authorities and Area Health
Authorities and District Management Teams. Merton, along with the
Boroughs of Suttcn and Wandsworth, forms an Area Health Authority
(Teaching) in the South West Thames Region. Many circulars on this
subject issued by the end of the year made it obvious to us all in the
Health Department that during 1973 we would be placed under considerable
strain in preparing for integration, in addition to the work
of providing the Department's routine services and dealing with various
emergencies which arise regularly.
I would like to offer my Chief Officer colleagues and their Deputies
in other Departments of the Council my thanks for their friendly
and helpful co-operation at all times, especially the Chief Education
Officer, the Director of Social Services and the Director of Housing.
I am also much indebted to my other Consultant colleagues in geriatrics,
paediatrics, obstetrics and other specialties, and to all general
practitioners in the Borough I would like to express my gratitude for
their help and support in carrying out the task of serving the residents
of this Borough. I owe particular gratitude to the Director of the
Public Health Laboratory Service and his staff for their ready support
at all times in the control of infectious disease.
The loyal and efficient manner in which all members of the
Health Department carried out their duties during the year, despite the
5