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and will surely remain an obstacle to the establishment of what
we know as positive health, until we are satisfied that the entire
population of Wood Green is adequately housed. It will not need
me to indicate the immensity of this problem.
The problem of the old folk increases year by year, not only
the problems associated with the admission of the elderly chronic
sick to hospital, but also the more general problems affecting
loneliness, chiropody and other matters too numerous to mention.
The Public Health Department has endeavoured in every way possible
to play its part in this great work, and is prepared to offer its
services to an even greater extent.
The increasing responsibility brought about by the new Food
Regulations has also been accepted and, indeed, implemented throughout
the Borough.
The closest liaison is maintained between the Public Health
Department and the Area Health Office. After six years of acting
as Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green and Area Medical
Officer for Health Area No. 2 County of Middlesex, it is more
than ever obvious that the close and harmonious liaison which
exists between these two Departments, both of them engaged in
the work of preventive medicine has at least done something to
obviate the difficulties which arose following the splitting up
of the health functions between the local health authority and
the local authority. It is indeed fortunate that our relations
with the County Council in the field of public health are close
and harmonious and even that many members of the Area Health
Staff have worked in Wood Green for very many years and are therefore
familiar with the conditions which exist, both from the
standpoint of environmental health and personal health. Although
this may not seem a very important point I am convinced that it
is none the less significant,
I would again express my grateful thanks to the Health and
Cleansing Committee and to the Borough Council for the help and
courtesy extended to me as Medical Officer of Health during the
year. I would also express my thanks to the Members of the Public
Health Staff for their continued service- I would particularly
mention my Deputy, Dr Janet Campbell, Mr. McCauley,Chief Public
Health Inspector, and Mr. Ingram, Chief Clerk, but every member
of the Department gave generously of his or her service throughout
the entire year.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
W. C. HARVEY,
Medical Officer of Health.
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