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76
Edmonton Urban District Council.
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee, and the Council.
26th November, 1919
Mrs. Benjafield and Gentlemen,
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT RE-ORGANISATION.
A Contrast with the Past.
The work is done now by the same methods which existed in 1892, that is,
27 years ago, when Edmonton's population was about 25,000 (Census population
for 1891, 23,437). The M.O.H. was only a part-timer, who gave as much
time to the work as was proportionate to his small salary, and he left all he
could to the Senior Inspector (Mr. R. J. Butland).
But in 1919 Edmonton is one of the 96 large towns of England and Wales,
with a population of 70,000—80,000 persons, a Parliamentary Borough with
an M.P. of its own, and a whole-time M.O.H. Since 1892 the amount of
legislation by Acts of Parliament, or by the Orders and circulars issued by the
Local Government Board, Home Office, and other Government offices, is treble
in quantity and of first-class importance. Consider carefully this vivid contrast
between 1892 and 1920—an interval well over a quarter of a century—and I
am sure you will decide that the time has arrived when I should be assisted
in carrying out my responsible and extensive duties by an adequate staff of
men and women, working hard (as now), but with an economy of effort that
can only be obtained by a re-allocation of duties, and the adoption of modern
methods. The methods of 1892 are waiting to be scrapped!
RECONSTRUCTION FOR THE FUTURE.
I have the honour of laying before you what I consider are the main steps
to be taken in reorganising my Department:—
1.—Assistant M.O.H.
To this post Dr. Rock was appointed in 1912 at a salary of £50 yearly,
as most of his time was engaged as Assistant S.M.O. Since July, 1914, when
he rejoined the Royal Navy, I have had no one to take his place. As I have
stated in my Annual Report for 1918, it is highly necessary that a Deputy
should be beside me. The position is ridiculously one-sided. I have a Deputy
S.M.O. but no Deputy M.O.H., whereas the necessity for the latter is greater,