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4
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF
THE BOROUGH OF LEYTON.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In accordance with the direction of the Ministry of Health
and the Board of Education, this Report during the war period
has been shortened as far as possible.
Since the outbreak of war the arrangements for Civil Defence,
and especially the duties connected with the A.R.P. Casualty
Service, have imposed a very heavy responsibility and burden on
the staff of your Health Department; but as the Ministry of Health
do not include these activities and duties among the subjects to
be dealt with in Annual Reports by Medical Officers of Health, no
reference is made to them in the following report.
In view of the national emergency the Registrar General was
unable to supply the official population figures for the year 1939
in time for the section dealing with Vital Statistics to be included
in last year's annual report. The vital statistics for the year
1939 are therefore included along with those for the year under
review (1940).
In addition to their normal official duties by day, all members
of your medical staff, along with certain members of your nursing,
sanitary and clerical staff have voluntarily undertaken, as their
contribution to the national emergency, duties in connection with
your A.R.P. Casualty and other Civil Defence Services which have
entailed their being available for duty almost continuously day and
night. I have been greatly impressed by the cheerful devotion to
duty shown by these members of the staff during the trying times
since the outbreak of war ; and I am grateful for the loyal cooperation
and industry of all members of my staff in surmounting
the many difficulties which have arisen during the year under
review.
It is my privilege to acknowledge again the support accorded
to me by the Chairmen and Members of the Committees concerned
with the work of the Health Department.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,