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The extension to the clinic premises was completed in
May, so that working conditions for the personnel of the
clinic, and accommodation for the patients, was made more
satisfactory.
After 5th July, 1948, there was a considerable increase
in the number of people availing themselves of the
facilities for X-Ray of the chest, and as a result of this
some strain was thrown on the clinic as the installation
of the X-Ray apparatus had not been completed.
As a result of greater co-operation with the General
Practitioners in the district the Chest Physician was called
to a considerable number of consultations in patients'
homes."
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The National Health Service Act became effective on the
5th July, 1948. This resulted in the transfer of these services
throughout the country to the major Local Authorities
(County and County Borough Councils) who for this purpose
have been designated as Local Health Authorities, and who
from that date became responsible for the operation of all the
Services contained in Part 3 of the National Health Service
Act, 1946.
These services were provided and controlled by the
Borough and District Councils and consisted of these services
concerned with the care of mothers and young children, midwifery,
health visiting, day nurseries and the provision of
domestic help. In addition, the scheme for immunisation
against diphtheria became the responsibility of the Local Health
Authority and there was added to this, vaccination against
smallpox, which has now become permissive, the Vaccination
Acts of 1867 to 1907 ceasing to have effect.
To these services already mentioned there was added the
duty of providing a home nursing service. This had, in the
past, been provided by voluntary associations acting separately,
with a resulting lack of co-ordination as between the
various associations, although in Hendon a considerable