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There has been an appreciable extension in the services for the aged, and to determine their needs
more accurately, a special survey of a large random sample is being conducted in association with the Social
Medicine Research Unit of Oxford. There is an immediate need for more voluntary visitors, and extension
of the 'Meals on Wheels' service, for more chiropody treatment, and the establishment of a night sitters-in
service.
Health education remains one of the most important tasks of the Department, and the introduction
of lunch-hour talks in factories has produced a most encouraging response. The practice of good general
hygiene and of preventive medicine can rescue the medical services from financial disaster by relieving them
of much work. An enlightened citizen with a knowledge of the principles of health can play an active
part in the battle against disease.
There has been no marked extension of the personal health services, and the need for new clinics
in Willesden is becoming more urgent as the old ones become over-burdened with work; it is 25 years since
the last clinic was built in the borough and in the meantime both the population and the medical services have
expanded.
However, some very important new services were started during the year. A child guidance clinic,
long overdue, is now doing excellent work in dealing with the behaviour problems in children; an orthoptist
has been appointed to train children with squint; an additional speech therapist is now available to treat
the difficult speech problems of the handicapped children attending Lower Place school; an audiometrician
is testing the hearing of school children so that early deafness can be detected and treated; and finally, an
orthodontist is now available in Willesden to help straighten malformed teeth and jaws.
We still require more special schools, and extensions of the health visitor and home help services.
Above all, there is an urgent need for the reform of local government so that the health services become part
of community units with the personal health services becoming really 'personal' to the people who use
them.
This has been an eventful year in the history of the public health service in Willesden, thanks to the
Councillors, members of the staff, and the sanitary inspectors who have contributed so much to the health
and welfare of the people in the borough.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
S. LEFF,
Medical Officer of Health.