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57
Amenities in Streets.
In my opinion, more street shelters for bus passengers
should be provided which allow for protection during adverse
weather. The need is almost a Public Health necessity.
With a view to reduction of street accidents, I would
suggest the provision of 4 4 roundabouts " at the various street
junctions. It is noted that in townships where 44 roundabouts
are operating, accidents are infrequent at these points. I would
suggest that the appearance of 44 roundabouts " be enhanced
by surfacing with flowers, thus introducing some colour into
otherwise drab streets.
Public Health Centres.
One of the greatest difficulties in popularising preventive
medicine is its lack of dramatic interest. The doctor who
rescues his patient from some grave emergency, even if he has
helped (inadvertently) him into this parlous position, wins the
admiration of the public in a way with which the doctor, whose
patient remains in good health, cannot hope to compete.
The Minister has, however, made it clear that II.M.
Government will introduce a National Health Service and it
would now appear that three main principles will govern this
service. Firstly, the central administration will be by the
department of the Ministry of Health ; secondly, that local
administration must be under the local authorities, that is,
by direct representatives of the people and that any grouping
of authorities envisaged does not effect this principle, and lastly
that the scheme will be national, that is, available to all and
paid for by all.
Within this frame-work all else is open to discussion and
in my opinion whatever the Act which brings in the national
medical service may command, it will be many years before all
its provisions can come into force. I therefore hold that the
fundamental considerations with regard to our present services
will still obtain for a considerable period of time. Even then,
whatever new names or groupings are introduced the present
public health services are basic and can surely not be reduced
in scope ; and whoever signs the last letter in future correspondence,
it can be assumed that your medical officers will be
required to carry out their present functions.
The clinic needs of the borough divide themselves into
three basic geographical areas, namely—Bedonwell, Abbey
Wood and the Old Town areas. I suggest that the two former
must be served by public health centres of a type similar in
character to that at present at Hainault, but with much