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10
the local government system—an intention subsequently confirmed
towards the end of the year by the new Government which took
office in June. During the summer three major pieces of legislation
were enacted, namely, the Local Authorities Social Services Act
which implemented most of the recommendations of the Seebohm
Report including the establishment of social services departments;
the Education (Handicapped Children) Act, transferring the responsibility
for the care of severely subnormal children of school
age from the local health to the local education authority and, in
so doing, abolishing the concept of ineducability ; and the Chronically
Sick and Disabled Persons Act, enabling greatly increased
provision to be made for the welfare of these two important
groups of handicapped people. Finally, in December the Council
approved proposals for the reshaping of the Health Department;
the memorandum submitted at that time on" Preventive Medicine
and Community Health "is appended to this preface. The Annual
Report for 1971 will provide an appropriate opportunity to review
these highly significant developments.
In the meantime it is clear that the closest collaboration between
the new health and social services departments will be needed to
ensure a truly effective effort in meeting comprehensively the needs
of local communities. It is therefore a special pleasure for me to
extend my warmest good wishes to Mr. Higgins who assumed the
appointment of Director of Social Services for Wandsworth in
July. I look forward keenly to our close association in the years
ahead.
It is in this spirit of teamwork that I wish to express my profound
gratitude to His Worship the Mayor, to the Chairman and
Members of the Social Services Committee, and to Members of the
Council, generally, for their kindness and encouragement during my
first nine months in office. To my colleagues in other Departments
of the Council and in the health services as a whole I offer my
sincere thanks for their unfailing help and co-operation. In particular
I am indebted to the Chief Executive and Town Clerk, Mr.
Norman White, for his wise guidance and ready counsel. Lastly
I am very conscious of the debt which I owe to the staff of the
Health Department—and not least to my Deputy. Dr. Gordon, and
the Principal Administrative Officer, Mr. Horsnell—for their loyal,
able and cheerful support at all times.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Your obedient servant,
HASTINGS E. A. CARSON.
Medical Officer of Health,
and
Principal School Medical Officer.