View report page

15
many duties which only a medical man fully qualified in public health
could do. It was of undoubted advantage to be able to discuss various
problems with a colleague so experienced and of such ability.
His loss to the department has naturally thrown much greater
responsibility on the Senior Inspector and Chief Clerk. In my absence
it is they who must make decisions based on their long experience and
intimate knowledge of public health administration. But in present day
conditions when the general public appear so well informed on medical
matters the prestige of the City of Westminster seems to call for the
services of one possessing medical qualifications if he has to act for the
Medical Officer of Health.
This foreword is more lengthy than usual, but the year under review,
1948, seemed to merit an assessment of the effect of the operations of the
National Health Service Act on the public health services of this City.
I have endeavoured to comment on the nature and extent of the services
which remain and appear essential for the efficient health administration
of the City.
I wish to thank the Chairman, Councillor Albert Sciver, B.Sc.,
F.R.I.C., &c., of the Public Health Committee from 1945 to 1949, for
his unfailing support and for the expert and useful advice on certain aspects
of the work which he often gave to the Committee. In presenting this
twenty-fourth annual report I wish also to thank the members of the
Council, the members of the Public Health Committee, my colleagues,
and in particular the staff of the department for their loyal and willing
assistance.
ANDREW J. SHINNIE,
Medical Officer of Health.
August, 1949.
(8407)
A 6