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9
LOOKING BACK
On taking up my duties in Ilford in April 1932, Dr. Burton was the
Medical Officer of Health, a Chief Officer with a definite plan of action
which defied much opposition, especially in the mid 1930s, when the
extensions to the Maternity Home and Isolation Hospital were hotly debated
in Committees and Council, but Dr. Burton, with the unflinching support
of his Chairmen and Committee Members won through and the subsequent
new buildings at both Institutions remain a tribute to his and their progressive
outlook.
Dr. Burton was one of the pioneers in the campaign for Diphtheria
Immunisation, and was prepared to contest the issue with Anti-Vivisectionist
speakers in Hyde Park. He was a Barrister-at-law, and I recall
many sessions with him poring over legal books etc., e.g. on the Public
Health Acts, or the examination of the provisions of the Ilford Corporation
Act of 1937; in the latter case a great effort being made to enlarge and
strengthen the existing Sanitary Provisions.
During the period 1932-1945 the emphasis of the department's work
was on the control of infectious diseases, food sampling, overcrowding
surveys, the extensions already referred to, building of the Mayesbrook
Clinic, and the introduction of the four war-time day nurseries. During
the war years the department's work was greatly disrupted, much time,
perforce, being devoted to the inception and maintenance of the First Aid
Posts, evacuation of expectant mothers and many other unusual tasks,
made more difficult by staff shortages and the bombing.
Dr. Burton was, unfortunately, for some years much troubled with
his health, and his retirement on medical grounds in September 1945 was
greatly regretted by all.
Following Dr. Burton's resignation, Dr. Weir, the deputy, took up
the reins of M.O.H., and was faced with the task of re-assembling all the
Health Services from the effects of the war, which he set about with great
enthusiasm. Hereabouts the provisions of the Education Act 1944 took
effect, and the Borough School Medical Officer became Divisional School
Medical Officer after lengthy discussions at Committee level over the
Delegated Powers. Worse was to follow, consequent on the National Health
Service Act 1946, operative on 5th July 1948, from which date the North
East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board took over both the Isolation
Hospital and the Maternity Home, and the Maternity and Child Welfare
services came under the jurisdiction of the Essex County Council, the new
Local Health Authority. The loss of the control of the two Institutions