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for the sanatoria and hospitals. The number of persons examined by the miniature
radiography apparatus was 47,223, of whom 77 were recommended for sanatorium
treatment.
The incidence of venereal diseases is increasing, particularly syphilis, but it is
well below that for 1918.
Confinements attended by the Council's domiciliary midwives numbered 6,867,
and by midwives of voluntary hospitals and district nursing associations, under
agreement with the Council, 5,466. There were 12,619 births in the Council's
hospitals.
Admissions to the Council's hospitals (other than mental) numbered 174,812.
In addition 21,343 general patients were dealt with in the mental hospitals under
the E.M.S. scheme. Throughout the year there was pressure on the staffed accommodation
in hospitals of all types. It was necessary to provide more accommodation
in residential nurseries. Despite the difficulties, progress was made in developing
schemes for rehabilitation and a considerable amount of research on a variety of
subjects was in progress.
An active part is taken in the provision of facilities for providing refresher
courses for doctors demobilised from the Services.
The School Health Service gradually expanded. The juvenile rheumatism
scheme is again getting under way. It is gratifying that there is no evidence of a
deterioration of the nutrition of the children compared with 1938.
The report of the Mental Health Services shows that there are 4,500 fewer
mental patients than at the outbreak of war. The Maudsley Hospital, with its
associated medical school, re-opened in October.
The work of the pathological services and of the department of the chemist-inchief
continues to expand.
The toll of war upon the staff of the department has been heavy. The Roll of
Honour includes 274 names. Deaths in the Services numbered 102. Among the
civilian staff, 172 lost their lives by enemy action. This includes 43 members of
the London Ambulance and Auxiliary Ambulance Services. Retirements during
the year included those of Mr. A. G. Wells, F.R.C.S., principal assistant medical
officer, Dr. H. R. Kidner, divisional medical officer, and Miss G. M. Cordell, O.B.E.,
principal matron : all after a lifetime of valuable work for the local government
medical and nursing services.
During the year a central planning division was set up within the department.
Its function is to study and advise on all major problems of planning and development.
One of the first fruits of its work was the preparation of a comprehensive
report on the hospital service, which was submitted to the Hospitals and Medical
Services Committee early in 1946. The division is also engaged in collecting information
and making plans for the discharge of the Council's responsibilities under any
new legislation which may be approved by Parliament for a National Health Service.
Dr. J. A. Scott was appointed a principal medical officer primarily for this branch
of work, and the appropriate lay administrative staff were attached to the division.
Other senior appointments during the year included Mr. A. Y. D. Penderel, administrative
and establishment officer, and Mr. R. H. J. Stronge, M.B.E., principal clerk
and deputy establishment officer.
It is a pleasure to be able to record the following decorations and commendations
received by members of the staff of the department during the year : Lt.-Col. A. A. W.
Petrie, medical superintendent, Banstead Mental Hospital, C.B.E. ; Miss S. E. Jones,
matron, Banstead Mental Hospital, R.R.C. (first class); Miss G. M. Cordell, principal
matron (head office staff), O.B.E.; Mr. A. G. Naldrett, assistant officer-in-charge,
London Ambulance Service (seconded during the war to be chief ambulance officer,
London Civil Defence Region), O.B.E.; Mr. R. H. J. Stronge, principal clerk and
deputy establishment officer (seconded to E.M.S. as a municipal lay administrative
officer in the sector organisation), M.B.E.; Miss M. A. Warner, domiciliary midwife,