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and the unfettered administration of the M. & C.W. Services was much
regretted, but here, maybe, is not the place to record any disadvantages
arising from the transfer of these Services. It can be said that multitudes
of letters, returns and discussions accompanied the transfer. In the case
of the Isolation Hospital and Maternity Home, the department faded out,
though for some months after July 1948 we carried on most of the day to
day administration of these Institutions on an agency basis. As regards
the former M. & C.W. Services, now to be known as Personal Health
Services under Part III of the National Health Service Act - we remained
in close association, in fact for 2-3 years they were much as before and
the several new services which followed were spurred on by the Act.
For this new set up Dr. Weir became Area Medical Officer, general policy
being the responsibility of the County Medical Officer of Health at
Chelmsford.
Dr. Weir resigned in February 1950 to take up the appointment of
M.O.H. with the Royal Borough of Kensington and the Metropolitan Borough
of Chelsea, a departure much regretted by the staff and his many friends.
In reflecting on the many changes which have occurred in the field
of environmental health over the 29½ years, one is struck by the control
of a number of the infectious diseases, e.g., smallpox, typhoid and diphtheria,
with tuberculosis on the point of control, but other problems arose
with the increasing incidence of poliomyelitis and food poisoning, both
calling for close investigation, and occasional field surveys.
The new Food and Drugs Act and Regulations thereunder have made
for many improvements in the control of foodshops, cafes etc. and in the
inspection and sampling of food, milk and ice cream, not forgetting the
lectures, with film strips, on food hygiene, given by the Public Health
Inspectors to food handlers. The Clean Air Act 1956 and the making of
smokeless zones was a new and necessary feature, as also the Housing
Act 1957 (attack on slum clearance, still probably the most predominant
factor and a link with care and welfare of the aged), and the Litter Act
1958. Another problem was radiation hazards. The welfare of the old
folk — a national problem — demanded attention and, while this was,
by statute, an Essex County Council function, a lady welfare officer was
appointed by the Borough Council and commenced duty in April 1952, and
her duties have yearly increased in scope and value. Together, they indicate
important steps forward in environmental health and show the everwidening
functions of the department's work in this field.
Public Relations — generally associated with relations between
the Local Authority and the public (the ratepayers) has, since the war,