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During the year, services in connection with school medical inspection and treatment
were transferred to the control of the Public Health Department by agreement between the
Southall Borough Council and the Middlesex County Council. This entailed a reconstruction
of the whole system of the care of infants and school children, with the aim of
providing continuous records for children from birth to school leaving age.
The amount of health visiting carried out during the year was increased by 50%,
and this was the probable cause of the improvement in the figures of attendances at all the
clinics and treatment centres.
A considerable number of measles cases was notified during the early part of the year;
the disease was of a mild type and there were no fatalities. In the summer there were a few
cases of dysentery, but no epidemic resulted.
From the beginning of the year, the ambulance service came under the control of the
Borough Council, and staff and equipment were organised to provide an efficient service for
the free conveyance of Southall ratepayers requiring this type of assistance. The call on
this service was heavy and continuous throughout the year.
The four day nurseries established during the war period continued to function
throughout the year, and places in these nurseries were always in demand. This is one of
the most satisfying services provided by the Council, as children benefit in health, manners,
in appearance and intelligence.
A Health Week of continuous propaganda with demonstrations and lectures held at
the Maypole Institute, facilities for the public to observe the various activities of the Health
Department, talks in schools, etc., was a feature of the work for 1945. The week was opened
by Sir Weldon Dalrymple-Champneys, of the Ministry of Health, and had a notable effect on
the figures of attendances at the various centres and the demand for health leaflets and health
instructions during the months immediately following.
The work at the Isolation Hospital continued normally, the number of admissions
never reaching a very high level.
Overcrowding due to housing difficulty in the Borough increased the responsibility
of the health department, as overcrowded conditions tend to increase the problems of cleanliness
and infection with which it is the Department's duty to deal and, during the year,
the Sanitary Inspectors commenced a survey of the overcrowding of houses in the district.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the Health Department
staff for the co-operation and loyal support they have given me, and the members of the
Voluntary Workers Association for the time they have so freely given.
I am, your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
Manor House, Southall.
MARGARET A. GLASS,
Medical Officer of Health.
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