Public health has long been an important feature of the work of local councils.  The Public Health Act of 1875 was very important to the imrovement of   public health and sanitation. It consolidated earlier legislation and gave public health authorities immensely increased powers to deal with  various diseases and nuisances. This in turn had beneficial results in public health, especially in the reduction of mortality rates among chlidren and adults.

East Ham County Borough Council had an up-to-date public health system that comprised an isloation hospital for infectious diseases; dispensary and sanitorium for  tubercular cases; school medical service and clinics; a department for maternity and child welfare and an out-of-borough mental hospital.

Between 1908 and 1933 the Public Health Department was under the direction of Dr. W. Benton JP.,  MRCS., the Medical Officer of Health. His department  had a large medical staff, sanitary and food inspectors.