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6
of public health. It is therefore a matter for concern that very few health
departments are able to recruit their full establishment of Public Health
Inspectors, and in Battersea our establishment of qualified Inspectors
is now half of what it should be, with little immediate prospect
of our recruiting new Inspectors up to our normal complement.
Towards meeting this problem, the Council has approved a scheme
for training Public Health Inspectors, and we have one student Inspector
now working in the Department, but this is a long term policy, and will
not yield quick results. In the meantime, in spite of our depleted stall
the work of the Public Health Department must continue, and every
effort is being made to ensure that standards do not fall. It would.
however, not be realistic to ignore the fact that standards may not
always be as high as we would wish, if present circumstances continue.
although every effort will be made to maintain them. Meanwhile. a
considerable burden falls on the existing inspectorial staff, and I should
like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the way
the extra responsibility is being met.
In 1957, Dr. A. Garland, who had been Deputy Medical Officer of
Health since 1952, left the Department to take up an appointment of a
similar nature in Wandsworth. Fortunately, Dr. Garland has not completely
severed his connection with the Battersea Health Department.
because under the tripartite agreement, he is still available to act for me
when necessary and has in fact done so already on one or two occasions
during the year. I should like to thank Dr. Garland for his excelled
work over the five years he was a member of the Battersea Health
Department. He left with the good wishes of everyone, both members
of the Council and officers.
To take Dr. Garland's place, the Council appointed Dr. D. M. O.
Lowry as Deputy Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Lowry took up his
new duties in August, 1957, and very quickly proved to be a great
help in the Department. I should like to thank him for the assistance
he has given me during his first six months in office.
It is again a pleasure to express my thanks for the help I have
received from Councillor Miss E. A. Coles, J.P., Chairman of the Health
Committee, and also the various Committees with which this Department
is concerned, particularly the Health and Housing Committees.
I should like also to thank the Chief Officers of the Council and their
Departments who have again been most helpful and co-operative
many matters. Finally, I should like to thank the members of the staff
of the Health Department in all grades, and particularly the
Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr. G. W. P. Weeks, for their continued
and loyal support.
I have the honour to be, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. TUDOR LEWIS,
Medical Officer of
August, 1958.