View report page

The year was, of course, remarkable in that the
National Health Service Act, 1946, came into operation
on July 5th, and the District Council ceased to be a
Welfare Authority on the transfer of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Services to the County Council. It is well
known that these services have been well administered
on a local basis in the past and it is appropriate to
remark that the figures for Infant and Maternal Mortality,
the lowest ever recorded, are an indication of this fact
While there is natural regret at the loss of these services
there may also be a legitimate pride in the achievements
of past years.
As in previous years, the housing position of the
area has, in common with the country as a whole, been.
the most important health problem to be encountered
and will continue to demand and to receive the most
urgent attention of the Council. One of the greatest
problems has been the urgent need to rehouse families
where there was an open case of tuberculosis and the
importance of this, especially where there are young
children, cannot be exaggerated. Housing priority has
been given in a number of cases referred to the Housing
Committee.
During 1948, two other events occurred which
are directly connected with the promotion of the health
of the area, one being the extension of the open spaces
available to the public through the opening of Mayplace
and the second being the arrangements for the opening
of a community centre at the Manor House. There can
be no doubt that developments of this nature must beneficially
affect the health of the district and their value
cannot be over estimated.
I am sure that Dr. Ward would wish me, on his
behalf, to thank the Council for the unvarying help and
encouragement which the Health Department enjoyed
during the year and also to thank the members of the
Health Department who have worked loyally and well
during this period.
I am,
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and| Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN LANDON,
Medical Officer of Health.
4