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10
be responsible for the administration of the personal services which it
lost in 1948 and also for the closely-related Welfare Service.
It is characteristic of the development of the services in this country
that the foundations were laid by voluntary effort. In this way were started
the hospital service, schools and the child welfare service. Fear was
expressed that one of the effects of the passing of the National Health
Service Act would be the stifling of such voluntary effort. This, of course,
has proved to be very far from the case and in point of fact it would
seem that much effort, which perhaps went to the help of hospitals, has
become available for other enterprise. Although for years there have been
many appeals that either the Ministry or local authorities should provide
the very necessary service of foot treatment for the elderly, what was
being done in such a district as this was provided by the local branch of
the British Red Cross Society. Now that the Government have authorised
local health authorities to provided this service, on which a start has been
made, it can be expected that this will develop in time and so render
unnecessary the arrangements made by the voluntary organisations who
will then be freed to become active in other fields. Today, the Meals on
Wheels service for the home-bound elderly relies very largely on voluntary
effort. This is really an essential service for those who do need it, and it
can be expected in time that it too will be manned by members of the staff
of local authorities. This is the pattern of the development of these services
in this country, and while some amongst the pioneers are reluctant to see
the authorities stepping-in and taking over their work, these changes are
inevitable. Curiously enough this district has an instance of a service at
one time provided by the District Council but now run by a voluntary
agency. Early on the Council provided a birth control clinic. This was run
subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Ministry, including one that
advice could be given only to those in whose case further pregnancy would
be detrimental to their health. Within these limitations the clinics helped
small numbers of mothers. A few years ago the Family Planning Association
decided to provide clinics in this district. These, of course, are not
subject to the restrictions of a municipal clinic. When the Authority was
assured that mothers who would have attended their clinic would be able
to obtain help at no more cost at the Family Planning Association clinics,
they decided to close their own.
As this is the last of these Annual Reports I shall write, having been
responsible for all of them since the creation of Harrow in 1934, I wish to
thank the Chairmen and members of the Public Health Committee for
their support, encouragement and forbearance over the years. I wish too
to thank all members of the staff of the department for their loyalty and
their willing help and also those in the other departments for their
assistance.
I have the honour to be
Your obedient servant,
Council Offices, CARYL THOMAS,
Kynaston Court, Medical Officer oj Health.
Harrow Weald.
26th May, 1961.