London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hampstead 1939

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead Borough]

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7
coincided with the decision, made with the approval of the Hampstead
Council of Social Service (with a view to the further co-ordination
of the Maternity and Child Welfare Services in the Borough), to
appoint one of their Welfare Centre doctors as a temporary part-time
Officer of the Borough Council. Dr. F. Marjorie Yule was accordingly
appointed as an Officer of the Council to devote one half of her
time to Maternity and Child Welfare work. Dr. Yule commenced her
duties in connection with Air Raid Precautions on 1st May, 1939, and
in connection with Maternity and Child Welfare work on 15th May,
1939, and was subsequently appointed as acting Deputy Medical Officer
of Health pending the return of Dr. Chalke from Active Service.
The following members of the Staff were on Active Service on
31st December, 1939:—
Dr. H. Davis Chalke, Clinical Tuberculosis Officer and Deputy Medical
Officer of Health, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Mr. R. W. King, a member of the clerical staff, King's Royal Rifle
Corps (Queen's Westminster's).
Air Raid Precautions.
During the year a considerable amount of work has been performed
by the staff of the Public Health Department in connection
with the Casualty Services and other forms of A.R.P. activities. I
wish to take this opportunity of expressing my special thanks to the
members of the staff of the Public Health Department for the cheerful
and willing way in which they have taken on additional duties and
responsibilities. It is most opportune that the Council appointed Dr.
Yule as Assistant (part-time) for A.R.P. duties; her help, especially in
connection with the nursing services, has been invaluable. In my last
Annual Report, I recorded my sincere appreciation of the great assistance
which I had received from Miss Robinson, M.B.E. (B.R.C.S.), and
from other officers and members of the British Red Cross Society and
St. John Ambulance Brigade. During 1939, these ladies have continued
to give a most enthusiastic and unselfish service. Miss Robinson
and her staff are given accommodation in the Public Health Department
offices. A word of praise must also be given to Miss Blaikley,
M.B.E., whose experience and tact has overcome numerous difficulties
in connection with the Stretcher Party Service.
After the crisis of September, 1938, definite steps were initiated
for the intensive training of men and women volunteers of the First
Aid Posts in First Aid and Anti-Gas. Examinations were held,
personnel allocated to Posts, monthly Post practices instituted with the
result that when general mobilisation was ordered, each First Aid Post
was ready for action. By Christmas, 1939, all the buildings which
were to be used as First Aid Posts had been completed, whilst from
September onwards, in order to maintain the efficiency of the personnel,
lectures and demonstrations were held daily. In addition, local