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29
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1929.
The above.mentioned Act has thrown upon the Department of the Medical Officer of
Health two principal additional duties.
1. The execution of the functions lately performed by the Board of Guardians in respect
of Vaccination, and
2. The extension of the scope of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, to embrace
relief formerly given under the aegis of the Poor Law.
In regard to 1, the Sanitary Committee, in varying the control, determined not to alter
the practice which had been in successful operation for many years, and Dr. H. J. Sequeira
was appointed to continue to act as Public Vaccinator, and Mr. J. G. Wall as Vaccination
Officer. The problem of the provision of a suitable Vaccination Station offered no difficulty,
as ready facilities were available in the Shelter building at Golden Lane, only just vacated
by the Special Centre for the treatment of Venereal Diseases.
In regard to No. 2, under the Act, although the London County Council have responsibility
in cases in which assistance is sought, it has power to make arrangements with the
Corporation for the provision by them under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918,
of any assistance which would be provided either by way of Poor Relief or by the Maternity
and Child Welfare Act.
From enquiry I was satisfied that there had been little or no demand for Poor Law
assistance in connection with Maternity and Child Welfare of recent years. I formed the
opinion that the majority of such claims as did arise could be dealt with as part of the
existing organisation controlling the work, with the exception of possible demands for lying.in
accommodation for expectant mothers. I accordingly approached the Authorities of
St. Bartholomew's Hospital and an agreement has been entered into for the provision of :—
1. Lying.in accommodation for such persons residing in the City as may claim it, as
Poor Law relief, at a fee of £2 2s. 0d. per week for in.patient treatment.
2. Consultation at the Hospital Ante.Natal Clinic for such persons at 10s. 6d. for each
case, irrespective of the number of attendances, and
3. Medical and nursing attention at confinements at the patient's home at £1 1s. 0d.
for each case, irrespective of the number of attendances.
The Hospital Authorities were not able to provide such ambulance service as might
in emergencies be required, and, although I do not anticipate that there will be any call
for it, I have entered into an agreement with the London County Council whereby the Ambulance
service of that Authority will be available at a fee of 10s. per case, plus 5s. if the services
of a nurse are needed.
CONGRESS—ROYAL SANITARY INSTITUTE—MARGATE.
CONGRESS OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTE PUBLIC H EALTH—PORTSMOUTH.
The above.mentioned two Congresses were held at Margate and Portsmouth from the
21st to the 28th June, and from the 4th to the 9th June, respectively, and the Sanitary
Committee of the City Corporation were represented on both occasions by their Chairman,
Mr. Bertrand Johnson, now Mr. Deputy Johnson, the late Chairman, Mr. H. J. Gower, and
your Medical Officer of Health.
Many papers were read on public health and kindred subjects, and both Congresses may
be regarded as complete successes, affording, as they did, opportunity for discussion and
the interchange of view of those interested in the health problems met with in every part
of the world.
CONGRESS—SANITARY INSPECTORS' ASSOCIATION—ILFRACOMBE.
The Sanitary Inspectors' Association Conference, held at Ilfracombe from the 1st to
the 5th September last, was attended by one of the Officers of my Department, in accordance
with permission granted by the Sanitary Committee.
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