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Home helps are never available in quite sufficient numbers to meet all demands
but this year they were able to provide a service for a greater proportion of persons
over the age of 65 years. The lack of popularity of the Neighbourly Help Scheme
continues to surprise me.
The chiropody service is one of the most rapidly expanding of our services
and has fully justified itself not only by giving relief from pain but also by enabling
many persons to remain mobile.
A new service which started during the year, and for which there was considerable
public demand, was population screening for cancer of the cervix of the
uterus. Throughout the year specimens were taken to the full capacity of the
laboratory service.
The year saw the opening of Windsmill Recuperative Hostel for the rehabilitation
of psychiatric patients, and also the opening of a new clinic building in Hadley
Wood.
The School Health Service has progressed along the lines indicated last year.
The dental part of this service was reviewed by a dental officer of the Department
of Education and Science who reported favourably on the comprehensive nature
of the service and the high standard of premises and equipment. Nevertheless, it
has to be recorded with regret that, because of staff shortage, we were unable this
year to inspect as high a percentage of children as last year, although reaching a
figure well above the national figure. However, based on the number of children
on the school roll, the percentage treated was not much below last year's figure.
In the field of health education, the opportunity was taken to raise the question
of the possibility of greater participation by the Health Department in health
education on school premises.
The compilation of a report covering so great a variety and volume of work
as this can be achieved only by the whole-hearted efforts of a large number of
people and I take this opportunity of recording my grateful appreciation of the
support and encouragement of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Members of the
Health and Education Committees, the loyal and diligent service of my Deputy
and members of the Department, as well as the willing co-operation of my
colleagues in other Departments.
WILLIAM D. HYDE
Medical Officer of Health
Principal School Medical Officer
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