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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of
Dagenham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in submitting the report on the health service
in the Borough of Dagenham during 1955.
Most of the work reported upon was done during the time
when Dr. Robinson was acting as Medical Officer of Health and
Area Medical Officer.
As far as future development of the services is concerned,
it should be borne in mind that the days of striking results achieved
in the field of preventive medicine by administrative action on
the part of Health Departments are rapidly coming to an end,
and that what people are prepared to do for themselves is gaining
in importance.
Teaching people what to do and how to do it in order to
achieve a state of positive health must be our future endeavour.
This involves the use of posters, leaflets, film shows and
film strips, talks, discussion groups, etc., and the message must
be put over by members of all sections of the Department including
Health Visitors, Domestic Helps, Public Health Inspectors,
School Nurses, Doctors and Midwives.
Much has already been done, but I hope to be able to report
further progress in this important field at the end of 1956.
I would like to thank the Chairman and Members of the
Committees concerned with administration of the services covered
by this report and to express my gratitude also to all members of
the staff for so readily giving me their assistance as well as their
loyalty.
J. ADRIAN GILLET,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
Civic Centre,
Dagenham.
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