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The proportion of children who react to tuberculin testing has fallen following the general reduction
in infection in the area. The proportion of children who have B.C.G. vaccination is fortunately still
high. The Chest Clinic has made a special study of children who react to tuberculin testing and as a result
they have found a number of cases who have been responsible for the infection of these children. The study
has shown that the most fruitful source of detecting unknown cases is tracing the route of infection
from young children who react to the tuberculin test.
There has been a considerable extension in the work for old people, particularly since the appointment
of an Old People's Welfare Organiser. Voluntary organisations have been doing much work for old
people in the area, but since the appointment of the Organiser there has been an extension of the meals
service and an increase in the number of old people who have been assisted to take holidays and of those
receiving free wireless sets.
The Home Safety Committee has been active throughout the year and has co-operated with national
campaigns. The first public meeting was held with prominent speakers and was a great success.
The provision of day nurseries still remains a problem in the area, and although one was closed on
30th August, 1957, the numbers of children waiting to go into day nurseries in Willesden could now fill at
least four day nurseries.
A scheme was started in clinics to look after infants while the mother was seeing the doctor or
health visitor. This was not successful at first, but it is being used much more now.
Some difficulty was experienced during the year because the regional hospital board could not provide
consultants for the various specialist clinics, and suggestions were made that these children should be
dealt with at the local hospital, and that the clinic should be manned either by assistant medical officers of
health or general practitioners. Fortunately this scheme did not come into operation, and the regional
hospital board found it possible to provide, at least for the time being, consultants to the clinics sessions. It
would be disastrous if after fifty years of the school health service the preventive aspects of these clinics were
minimised by their transfer to the curative atmosphere of a hospital.
The local council have protested to the regional hospital board because although they have nominated
people for membership on the management committee over a period of years, none of them has been
accepted.
The new Mental Health Act should lead to an extension of the work in the area for comprehensive
mental health and for preventing relapses in those who have been discharged from hospital or otherwise have
had treatment. There is no doubt that much work can be done in the community to adapt the mentally
disturbed for their working and living there. Already much preventive work is done in the area in the
child guidance clinic and in the maternal and child welfare clinics where the psychiatrist attends regularly and
gives advice to doctors and health visitors. Clearly the psychiatrists cannot solve the problems of the
mentally disordered by themselves. With the support of doctors and health visitors in the area, together with
a more sympathetic approach of the public, we can help overcome many of the troubles of these people.
Once again, this has been a most interesting year for public health in Willesden, and my sincere
thanks go to councillors, members of the staff and public health inspectors who have played such an
important part in the health and welfare of the peopie of the borough.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
S. LEFF,
Medical Officer of Health.