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is a great danger that these services will be separated from the
health services by appointing one person as Medical Officer of
Health of a district and another person as Area Medical Officer.
It must be recognised that there are personal welfare services which
are so closely allied to the health services that separation from
them is artificial and undesirable.
In the administration of Health Services both in environmental
and personal there are crucial issues at stake. Firstly, the
relation of committees to their officers. If the officers respect the
authority of their employing body and are loyal at once to the
Authority's and their own ethical functions in advice and executive
action, and if the Authority trusts its officers and leaves them free
to act on the Authority's instructions without any detailed supervision,
but right professional basis, then good work is assured.
Secondly, the quality of the chief officers must be high. In dealing
with health matters this requires sound medical skill and a full
comprehension of social relationships together with qualities
necessary to good administration and in particular to medical
administration. Thirdly, the personal relationship between chief
officers must be satisfactory, for, only in a measure to which this is
good, will co-operation be really whole-hearted. Lastly, full cooperation
must be secured between all members of the various staffs
at corresponding levels, otherwise local health service will be
seriously restricted in its effectiveness to the people.
I should like to express my very best thanks to the members
of my Staff for their loyal and friendly co-operation at all times.
I should also express my thanks to the Council and especially
to the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee
for the kindness and co-operation given me during the year 1955.
I have the honour to be, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
D. REGAN
Medical Officer of Health.
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