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61
To-day, on the verge of handing over the Maternity and Child Welfare
Services to the London County Council, it can truly be said that the bearing of
children is no longer a perilous undertaking, that infants get a better start in life, a
better chance of survival and are less likely to be handicapped through life by
deformities. The statistical references in the appendix to this report point to the
progressive improvement in the birth and infant death rates in the Borough
during the period of the past 28 years.
Looking back over the past 20 years I esteem it a privilege in being permitted
to assist in building the Maternity and Infant Welfare structure as it is
to-day, which, although not perfect, yet in my opinion, compares favourably with
any to be found in the Metropolitan Boroughs and of which the Council might
justly feel satisfied.
On July 5th, 1948, there will be a new " set-up " of this service as a result
of the National Health Service Act, 1946. Whether this change will provide a
better service only time will show.
Yours faithfully,
H. W. BARNES, Medical Officer of Health.