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As indicated in my Annual Report for 1946 it is quite obvious
that the domestic help scheme has come to stay. It is indeed difficult
to exaggerate the relief which the provision of a domestic help gives
to aged persons. In addition, the assistance which the scheme affords
to families enduring a time of temporary crisis is almost equally
important. This service is one which gives great pleasure to those
engaged upon it, and it is to be hoped that the coming years will see
its consolidation and extension to an even greater extent than
have previously been possible.
Reference might here be made to the very welcome efforts begun
during the year to deal with the welfare of the aged. The setting-up
of a special committee for this purpose was a particularly happy
step, as was the inauguration of several clubs in various parts of the
district.
In addition, the anticipated provision of a ' 'meals-on-wheels''
service by the Women's Voluntary Service has added still another
amenity in a field where amenities have been distressingly few. The
Public Health Department has been privileged to assist in this work,
in which team-work and co-operation have shown themselves to a
very marked degree.
The solutions to the various problems of old age are difficult to
find: at present some are well-nigh impossible. But at least we can
say that efforts are now being made to brighten the last stages of
life, and to make those added years a pleasure instead of a burden.
As has been truly said, it must be our aim not only to add years to
life, but to add life to years, since one without the other is like a
slice of dry, stale bread with neither jam nor butter. Preventive
medicine has done a great deal to fulfil the first object; the social
medicine of the future should vigorously tackle the second.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
In view of the changes envisaged by the National Health Service
Act. I took the opportunity of preparing a brief historical survey of
Maternity and Child Welfare in Southgate from its inception until
the services were handed over to the County Council in July 1948.
This survey was printed in the Council Minutes of July 1948, and
there is therefore no need to repeat the information here. It will
suffice to say that the thirty-two years during which Southgate was
responsible for its own Maternity and Child Welfare services produced
results which had and will continue to have far-reaching effects
upon the health not only of the child but also of the adult population.
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