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INTRODUCTION
This is an account of the first nine months work of a new health department. In retrospect
it seems almost unbelievable that a team of people, previously working in entirely different
organisational backgrounds, could from one day to the next be welded into an operational unit.
That this was successfully accomplished, is due primarily to the determination of the
members of the new Council which was elected on 7th May, 1964 to look to the future rather than
the past and to inspire their officers to do likewise.
In Camden this determination was reflected also in the early appointment of key departmental
officers. This ensured that experienced staff of high calibre were still available and could
be appointed. It was further shown, in the interest with which the members of the newly appointed
Health Committee studied their new powers and duties indepthduring the nine months which preceded
"D-Day\ 1st April, 1965.
Credit must also be given to the advance planning by working parties composed of officers
of the London County Council and tne Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee, and It was
particularly fortunate that Dr. R. Duncan Dewar, the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead
and Holbom, and I, as one of the London County Council's Divisional Medical Officers, were
both members of the health services' working party.
Last but not least we were extremely fortunate in Camden that, largely through the
inspiration which the elected members gave us, colleagues, regardless of previous organisational
background and loyalties, of previous and new status, of personal inconvenience or disappointment
worked together as one, both in the planning and the running of the new services. No Chief Officer
in the new Greater London can have been more fortunate than I In all these respects.
1962
Hampstead, Holborn and St. Pancras Joint Committee of Representatives set up
to consider and report upon the problems involved in connection with the proposed
amalgamation of the three Boroughs.
31. 7.63
London Government Act, 1963, passed setting up London Boroughs. Setting up of
Working Party on Transfer of Health Services, by Metropolitan Boroughs Standing
Joint Committee and the London County Council.
May, 1964
Report and recommendations of the Joint Committee of Representatives published.
Among the matters necessarily dealt with prior to the election of the new Council
was the adoption of the name of "Camden" for the new Borough.
7. 5.64
Election of Councillors for the London Borough of Camden.
26. 5.64
First Council Meeting of the London Borough of Camden.
29. 6.64
Appointment of Medical Officer of Health.
29. 6.64
Outline order of reference for Health Committee until 31.3.65, adopted as follows:-
Environmental health services; personal health
services relating to maternity and child welfare,
midwifery, care of the aged, meals on wheels,
health visiting, mental welfare and all other
services (except those services referred to the
Welfare Committee) transferred to the Council
under provisions of London Government Act,
1963; school health services delegated by the
Inner London Education Authority.
29. 6.64
Standing Committees appointed. Health Committee appointed.
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