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8
The year brought up a new problem on the environmental side. The Hackney
dustmen went on strike and they were followed by a strike of nearly all
the London boroughs and many provincial boroughs as well. The problem of
uncollected refuse threw a severe burden on the Department for which the whole
resources of the Public Health Inspectorate and ancillary staff had to be
mobilized. Refuse needed constant spraying to keep down flies and vermin.
The Unions co-operated by allowing refuse to be moved from certain places
where it had become too offensive and a possible danger. Although there was
some public anxiety, the public in general were most co-operative and used the
special plastic bags provided by the Council. Suffice it to say that after
the strike had lasted 4 weeks, there had been no illness or any other untoward
effect of the strike. The strike in Hackney was the longest in the country
and I think it says much for the work of the officers concerned that serious
health problems were overcome.
Generally the problems of the environmental side continue to be much the
same as previously with housing perhaps in this borough the most important.
Throughout the year there was a slow progression to some form of
implementation of the Seebohm and Green Paper Reports. The Seebohm Report
is now embodied in the Local Authority Social Services Bill which received
Royal Assent during 1970, but the fate of the Green Paper is now unknown.
The result of these changes has naturally caused some unrest amongst staff
who are now not certain of their future. Liaison continues to take place
between field workers of all departments. The Social Services Co-ordinating
Committee continues to meet but with somewhat different terms of reference
from previous years.
I would like to express my thanks to all the Chief Officers of the
Council and their staffs for their help during the year, and I would also
like to express my thanks to the Inner London Education Authority and their
officers for their help and co-operation. I would again stress that although
this report is put out under my name, it could only be written because all the
officers of the Department contribute by their work to the running of the
Department, and I would again take this opportunity of thanking them all for
their co-operation and help.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
ROWLAND GWYN DAVIES
Medical Officer of Health.