It is the Authority's aim to provide professional, effective and
efficient services with the quickest possible turnaround times for
consignments of imported foods and products of animal origin, so
that doing business in the Port of London is both cost effective
and adds value to the product. Controls are administered by
automated cargo handling systems. A standby service for infectious
disease control is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the
year.
For administrative purposes the district is divided into two
divisions: Tilbury and Upper Thames and Thamesport and Lower
Thames. Offices are located at Charlton - the base for the Upper
Thames launch, Denton - the base for the Lower
Thames launch, London City Airport, and the ports of Tilbury,
Sheerness and Thamesport (Isle of Grain). The district also
includes, to the south, the lower reaches of the River Medway with
the ports of Queenborough and Ridham Dock and, to the north, parts
of the River Crouch, the River Roach and its tributaries.
Cargo handling operations continue 24 hours per day, seven days per
week at Tilbury and Thamesport and Port Health cover is maintained
on a shift basis throughout a 14 hour period on weekdays. Weekend
cover is provided on a regular basis at Tilbury, Thamesport and
other areas of the port as required.
The staff of the London Port Health Authority include the Port
Health Services Director who is based at Walbrook Wharf in the City
of London, Port Health Inspectors, Official
Veterinarians,Technical Assistants, General Assistants,
and Support Assistants who are located at various offices in
the district, together with launch crew who operate the Authority's
launches, "Lady Aileen", "Londinium III", "Hygeia" a Rigid
Inflatable Boat (RIB), a smaller RIB and a work boat.
The Authority engages the services of Public Analysts,
Consultants in Communicable Disease Control and Boarding Medical
Officers. The Authority also uses the services of the Health
Protection Agency at four locations, Colindale, Ashford, Chelmsford
and Royal London Hospital.
The Authority also works closely with the Port of London
Authority (PLA) who is responsible for navigational safety and
related matters on 150km (95 miles) of the tidal Thames from the
sea to Teddington in west London. The PLA provides navigational,
pilotage and other services for users of the Thames. London is
one of the top three ports in the UK and handles over 50 million
tonnes of cargo each year. The Port comprises over 70 independently
owned and operated terminals and port facilities at different
locations on the Thames. These handle a wide range of cargoes.
London also has a busy passenger boat trade for tourists and
commuters and is a popular destination for international passenger
cruise ships. The tidal Thames is also used widely by those with
small recreational craft of many types. Further information
can be viewed on the PLA website.
The London Port Health Authority serves
business and protects the nation through the provision of the
following services: