View report page

4
There is little doubt that the death of some few of these
was accelerated by the mistaken policy of evacuation of
hospitals and sanatoria in the autumn of 1939. Patients
who were bed cases and had not been getting up were
sent out often to homes which were not prepared to receive
them. Representations were made to the authorities in
order to have this policy reversed, and before long many
of the patients so discharged were back in hospital again.
Some, however, refused to return for fear of another
sudden order to leave, but by the end of the year conditions
had much improved.
It has been my usual practice in Annual Reports to
record my appreciation of the work of the Staff of the
Department. For their work and loyal co-operation during
the trying period of 1939 I wish to tender to them
my sincere thanks. Practically every member of the staff
was called upon to work long hours and at week-ends,
often on jobs which bore no resemblance to their normal
duties, and without exception they gave their services ungrudgingly.
I should also like to express to the Mayor and to the
Members of the Public Health Committee and the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee my thanks for
their co-operation and consideration.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. B. HOWELL,
Medical Officer of Health.