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I was appointed to take office on October 4th, 1939. In the retirement
of Dr. Thomas the Corporation has lost a distinguished and
able officer who had seen the growth of the Public Health and School
Medical Services to their present standard. In the School Report
a brief account has been submitted by Dr. Thomas of the changes
brought about in the development of the School Medical Service.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Kinch, retired on 31st
December, 1939, after 40 years' service with the Corporation.
Mr. J. J. Jenkins, the deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector was appointed
to fill the vacancy. Mr. Matthews succeeded Mr. Jenkins as deputy
Chief Sanitary Inspector, and Mr. Dowie was appointed Assistant
Sanitary Inspector on the death of Mr. E. W. Brooks.
Previous to, and on the outbreak of war, much of the time
of the staff of the Public Health department has been devoted to
the organisation of the Air Raid Precautions Casualties Service, not
only in selecting buildings for First Aid posts, and Ambulance and
Stretcher parties, but also in administration, selecting, equipping and
training of personnel. There are 3 depot first aid posts, 3 mobile
units, 5 ambulance stations, and 4 stretcher party posts, together
with 20 ambulances and 28 cars for dealing with casualties, manned
by about 344 persons; of this number 184 are men and 160 women
These few remarks concerning the Casualty Services are mentioned
in order that you may appreciate the very heavy burdens that have
been placed on the Corporation and its Staff.
In September 1939, the staff and children at the Day Nursery
were evacuated to Stony Yarrows near Woking. This was a private
house, but in consequence of the cramped conditions due to the
presence of 30 children, on the withdrawal of some children the
number was maintained at 20. During 1940 a new house will be
taken over and adapted to accommodate 30—32 children and the
necessary staff.
The Clinics for ante-natal and child welfare cases have been
continued and the attendances, although lower than usual in the
early part of October, began to increase in numbers and it was
found necessary to maintain the usual number of clinics as had
existed previous to the outbreak of the War.
I should like to thank the staff of the Public Health Department
for their kindly co-operation and loyalty during the past year.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
GEORGE E. B. PAYNE.