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local mental health services, vaccination, immunisation, ambulance services,
care and after-care of the sick, domestic help and health centres before
certain dates, the latest being 31st December, 1947, so that the scheme may
become operative by July 5th, 1948. It is stipulated that copies must be
served upon local authorities and other interested bodies who are given a
period of two months in which to make any observations they desire.
In a recently published circular of the Ministry of Health, it is suggested
that all Counties should be subdivided into areas of health administration,
whose day to day administration would be delegated to Sub-Committees of
the County Council. These it is suggested would be responsible for the
decentralised administration not only of the child care services, but of other
Part III services also. The circular states: "there is, moreover, a limited
number of non-county boroughs and large urban districts which, besides being
excepted districts under the Education Act, have an unusually high proportion
of the total population of the County or possess exceptionally welldeveloped
public health (including school health) services. Such a borough
or urban district would ordinarily become an area of health administration
separate from surrounding districts." It therefore seems possible that
Ilford may become an area of Divisional Administration for the purposes of
this section of the Act.
One topic of medical and social interest which has been engaging considerable
attention during the past few years is the science of gerontology or
knowledge of the problems of old age, with its logical corollary—the care
of the aged or geriatrics. Recently some authorities, Essex County Council
included, have given attention to this question and have made some
provision for care of the aged, either in institutions, special communities,
hostels, flats or small houses. Authority for this social improvement is,
however, limited to County Councils and County Boroughs, and it is hoped
that some provision in this direction may ultimately be made available to
the aged residents of the Borough.
I would place on record my appreciation of the work performed and the
loyal support which has been accorded to me by members of all sections of
the Public Health Department during the year. In particular, I desire to
acknowledge the continued assistance and invaluable advice so willingly
given by Dr. A. H. G. Burton, the Council's Consultant, to whom I am
greatly indebted for his friendly co-operation. Especially in connection
with the Welfare Centres and the Open Air School has he rendered most
signal services to the community.
I would also mention the kind co-operation and assistance received from
the officers and members of other Departments of the Corporation. To them,
and to the voluntary helpers who have assisted in the work of the various
clinics, I express my sincere gratitude.
To the members of the Council generally, and particularly to the Chairmen,
Vice-Chairmen and members of the various Committees with which
the work of the Department is specially concerned, may I offer my grateful
thanks for their co-operation and support throughout the year.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
J. H. WEIR,
Medical Officer of Health.