View report page

Chiropody
As a result of a redistribution of sessions within the Council's area the introduction
of chiropody sessions into Division 9 was finally effected on 7th January, 1957. During
the latter part of 1956 all preparatory work was completed.
Home helps
3,410 cases had domestic help provided during the year compared with 3,180
for 1955.
Prevention of
break-up of
families
Six home helps have now attended the special five-day training courses for home
helps who are to teach housecraft to mothers of problem families.
An experimental home-making scheme had been started in the previous year for
mothers of problem families. Although its success was limited, it was felt that it would
be justified to experiment further in a different part of the division. At the end of the
year, the experiment was still in progress and a report will be made in due course.
The investigation, in conjunction with the Medical Research Council, into the
efficacy of a combined diphtheria/pertussis prophylactic in the prevention of whooping
cough was completed in September, 1956. The figures and statistics are in process of
being analysed and a full report will be made in due course.
Organisation
and
personnel
As I have on previous occasions stated, the basis of successful public health work is
team work and the working together of everyone for the common aim is one of the
first objects to be achieved. I am, therefore, very happy to express my thanks to all my
colleagues in the division, particularly to my senior colleagues, for the continued help
and assistance which they have given me during the year. It was a very great pleasure to
welcome Mr. R. E. Haymes to the division on his appointment as Divisional Administrative
Officer. He has fitted into our team most efficiently and we are very glad to
have him with us. Towards the end of the year, one of my senior medical colleagues,
Dr. W. G. Harding, was appointed to the position of Divisional Medical Officer for
Health Division 3. Although he had not actually left the division at the end of the year,
I should like to take this opportunity of congratulating him and wishing him every
success in his new work. His promotion to this responsible position affords some measure
of reflected glory to Division 9.
149