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11
One hundred and thirty-three examinations were also made of temporary
employees of the Borough Engineer's Department who
were being transferred to the regular staff. It will be appreciated
that this has thrown a certain amount of additional work on
the medical staff.
The Medical Officer of Health is also the Medical Referee
for the purpose of the Cremation Acts and has acted as such since
the Crematorium in Croydon commenced to function. During
the year 288 certificates were submitted.
Air Raid Precautions.
New and unfamiliar duties have been placed upon Medical
Officers of Health by the Government under the Regulations
governing Civil Defence. Prior to the September crisis the
medical aspects of Civil Defence had already been explored in
Croydon. Eight First Aid Posts had been selected, with the cooperation
of the Education Committee, at various public elementary
schools, and adaptations upon a considerable scale carried
out. Volunteers had been recruited, and when the September
crisis came the numbers at the First Aid Posts were sufficient to
man them. Unfortunately, apart from the trained personnel of
the two Voluntary Societies,—the British Red Cross and the St.
John Ambulance Brigade,—the rest of the volunteers were untrained.
A week's intensive training was arranged by the help
of the two societies who had made themselves equally responsible
for the staffing of the posts, four being taken by each
Society. The help of these Societies has been very valuable, and
I should like especially to thank the British Red Cross for the
ready help their local organisation has given in arranging
lectures and demonstrations.
Modifications have been made in the organisation of the
Casualty Services since September. The Ministry of Health now
has control of the Hospitals Organisation, the First Aid Posts,
and the Ambulance Service, but the Home Office retains control
of the Stretcher Parties. This artificial division does not make
local organisation any easier, especially as the ideas of the
Ministry of Health anent First Aid Posts and Ambulance Services
are not the same as were those of the Home Office when
the latter had control.
The Medical Officer of Health has a small advisory committee,
comprising the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Air
Raids Precautions Committee and a representative of each of the
Voluntary Societies, to assist him, and this Committee has proved