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These examinations varied from assessment of fitness for sick
pay, for employment as drivers of mechanical vehicles, for employment
in the Water Undertaking, for employment in food handling,
for entry into the Superannuation Scheme, and for recommendations
as to retirement on pension, for permanent ill-health or
transfer to other duties.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948 (Section 47).
No action was taken under this legislation. Cases which
arose were dealt with by appropriate combination of general practitioner,
nursing, Home Help and Sick Room Attendant Service,
and when requested, prompt and helpful assistance by the Local
Hospital Bed Bureau.
CREMATION ACT, 1902.
During the year 1,619 Certificates were completed in the
Department in the capacity of Medical Referee under the above
Act.
CROYDON AIRPORT.
There was a considerable diminution of passenger arrivals
from abroad to an extent which made the employment of special
receptionists appear to the Ministry of Health to be unnecessary.
These duties were accordingly transferred to the permanent staff
of the Home Office who deal with immigration. These officers
now act also on behalf of the Health Department and no difficulties
arose as a result of such new arrangements.
I acknowledge the very helpful co-operation given by H.M.
Chief Immigration Officer in effecting the change-over and in the
carrying out of the work.
In January, the Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations, 1950,
were issued. These extended the "excepted area" from which
passengers are not subjected to health control when arriving in
this country, to all the territories in Europe of the Brussels Treaty
Powers (Western Union). The Regulations reduced still further
the routine health control duties at Croydon Airport. While it
was still necessary to maintain a continuous "on call" rota of
medical officers, the medical receptionist work between 22.00 and
9.00 hours was transferred to the Customs Preventive Officers, the
night-time Immigration staff being withdrawn. No difficulties
were experienced in the year under review. The Chief Immigration
and Chief Preventive Officers and their staffs continued to be
most helpful in the performance of the work and the compiling
of the necessary statistics.