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4
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1961
problems for the psychiatrist and the social worker but it is hoped
that as the years go by, it will be possible to report a reduction in the
number of cases of suicide, many of them occurring under tragic
circumstances.
Modern society has long recognised that the care and welfare of
old people is a responsibility of the community which is likely to
become even more important in the years ahead. Last year, I was
happy to acknowledge the great help we receive from the various
statutory organisations concerned with the care of old people and it
is a pleasure to report that the help we have come to expect from the
geriatricians at St. Benedict's Hospital, St. John's Hospital and the
South Western Hospital, together with the officers of the Welfare
Department of the London County Council, continue. This year, I
feel I should pay an equal tribute to the outstanding work which is
carried out by the various voluntary organisations in the Borough,
particularly the Wandsworth Old People's Welfare Council, the
Wandsworth Old Folks Trust and the Women's Voluntary Service.
On page 26 I deal a little more fully with the great contribution made
to the welfare of the old people of Wandsworth by these organisations.
This year, I have included in the section dealing with smoke abatement
and control a map showing the parts of the Borough which have
already been made Smoke Control Areas and the areas where it is
hoped and expected Smoke Control Areas will be declared over the
next 10 years.
I should like, once again, to thank the many people who have
assisted the work of the Health Department during the year, not least
the Chairman of the Public Health Committee, Mrs. Olive Haines,
and the Members of that Committee. I should like also to express
my appreciation to all the members of the Health Department staff
and to the Chief Officers and the staffs of other departments with
whom we have continued a happy and close liaison.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Servant,
J. TUDOR LEWIS
Medical Officer of Health.