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4
Welfare Services
The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 became law
on 29th May, 1970, and although a number of its provisions were
operative during the year it was considered inadvisable to endeavour
to implement these in anticipation of the setting up of the Social
Services Department. To a limited extent, services indicated were
already in existence and regard where practicable was had to the
intentions of the Act in planning ahead.
This is the last occasion since 1948 when the Annual Report
of a Medical Officer of Health can contain the comprehensive account
of all the community health services provided in the Royal Borough.
Already a very considerable part of these services has been
transferred to the Social Services Department and there is a clear
indication that it is only a matter of relatively short period of time
before the remaining personal health services and probably the school
health service will become the responsibility of an integrated ad hoc
authority. There is however a very wide field for the development of
services. With this thought for consideration I have had the honour
to be
Your obedient Servant,
D.J. SHEERBOOM
Director of Health Services