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As usual the majority of this Report records the unspectacular
but steady maintenance of the various branches of the Local
Authorities' Health Services. Apart from minor improvements in
these and attempts at various levels to strengthen liason between
the three main sections of the National Health Service, in this
District most thought recently has been given to Health Education.
That serious consideration of this subject is justified is supported
by the following comment by the Chief Medical Officer of the
Ministry of Health in his introduction to his Annual Report for
1951:— "We have, in fact, arrived at a time when the citizen
himself must actively participate in the campaign for better health
if substantial progress is to be made. We are leaving the era
of Sanitary Engineering and are entering into that of personal
hygiene, in which each person must definitely contribute to the
commonweal".
From the official point of view this challenge to stimulate
and inform public opinion involves time being spent on absorbing
the relevant sections of the vast amount of research work which
is continuously being published, and simplifying it in order that it
can be presented in an interesting manner. From the point of
view of the Local Authorities it must be recognised that, unless
the available professional manpower is to be increased the existing
staff will have to be relieved of some of the least essential of their
former duties if they are to devote more time to this increasingly
important subject. The public also will need to help, not only
by being prepared to abandon some preconceived ideas, habits and
prejudices, but by taking a greater share in the education of all
age groups, and in providing opportunities for consideration of
health topics.
When it is remembered that positive health, which should be
our ideal, involves not only the absence of disease but complete
physical, mental and spiritual fitness, it will be seen that a campaign
of this type calls for a concerted effort by all types of
educationalists and not only by the medical profession. For some
time there has been general concern about the heavy cost of the
National Health Service. Should not our aim be to reduce the
cost of the relatively expensive curative services by continually
focusing on the prevention of illhealth and the encouragement
of positive measures toward true Health ? In this readjustment
we can all contribute our quota.
In conclusion, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would again express
my thanks to all who have been associated with the Health Services
for their sympathetic co-operation during the year, and I must
mention particularly the contributions of the Chief Sanitary
Inspector, his Deputy, and my Administrative Assistant, who have
not only helped to maintain a friendly team spirit, as have all
members of the Divisional Health Service, but have given valuable
assistance in the preparation of this Report.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. R. EDBROOKE,
Medical Officer of Health.
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