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9
Finally, as the Council know, I took up ray duties in November,
having been appointed as Medical Officer of Health in succession to Dr.
E. Caryl Thomas, who retired from your service in May 1962, and I think
it would be very remiss of me if I did not make some mention of all the
good work Dr. Thomas did during his 28 years as your Medical Officer
of Health.
As Medical Officer of Health of Dagenham, Dr. Thomas became
Medical Officer of Health for the Harrow Urban District Council when it
was created in 1934 by the amalgamation of the Harrow-on-the-Hill and
Wealdstone Urban District Councils and Hendon Rural District Council.
During his period of office he built up a public health department of which
the Borough can be justifiably proud. Actively engaged in the years before
the war in developing the various branches of the health services for
which the Council was responsible, it must have been a great disappointment
to him when the National Health Service Act transferred the personal
health services to the County Council in 1948. Nevertheless, he continued
his good work in this field, having been appointed the Area Medical
Officer under the County Council's scheme of decentralisation of certain
of the personal health services. He has seen many changes in the field of
public health during his term of office, but at all times has coped in his
usual calm and efficient manner. He is to be congratulated on a task
exceedingly well done and we all sincerely hope that both he and Mrs.
Thomas will be spared to enjoy many years of well earned retirement. I,
for my part, trust that 1 shall be able to carry on Dr. Thomas's good
work and I shall certainly do my best to maintain the high standard set
by him.
During the year the London Government Bill made steady progress
and no doubt will be a "fait accompli" during the very near future. When
this comes to pass the wheel will have gone full circle and once more the
Council will be organising and developing, among other things, its own
personal health services. I am sure that the staff of the department will be
ready to meet the challenge of these new commitments.
I would like to place on record my appreciation of the warm welcome
1 received from the Council on my appointment. At the same time I
acknowledge with thanks the friendly co-operation of my colleagues in
other departments of the Council. Finally, to Mr. S. N. King, the Chief
Public Health Inspector, Mr. Wharton, and indeed to all members of the
Health Department, my sincere thanks for their most welcome and able
assistance.
I have the honour to be
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM CORMACK,
Medical Officer of Health.