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The 38 applicants not recommended for medical priority include
(1) Illness not aggravated by housing conditions; (2) Temporary indispositions;
(3) Those pleading the discomforts of overcrowding and structural defects
(i.e. grounds other than medical); (4) Repeated requests already assessed.
RE-ORGANISATION OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
This will involve the transfer of the main functions of the Medical
Officer of Health from Local Grovernment to the National Health Service as from
1st April, 1974.
At the time of writing it seems probable that the County of Essex will
become a Region/Area on its own in the re-organised National Health Service,
containing 5 Administrative Districts named, Harlow, Chelmsford, Basildon,
Colchester and Southend. The "Harlow" National Health Service District will
include the new Local Government Districts of Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford
(i.e. Saffron Walden and Dunmow Districts).
Detailed plans for co-ordinated action on such matters as prevention
and control of infectious diseases, nuisance and pollution control, health
education, safety of food and water supplies, staffing etc., are to be worked
out by the Joint Consultative Committees under guidance to be provided from the
appropriate Government Departments during the period of change-over.
In the meantime, extensive consultations are constantly taking place
between all concerned to ensure as far as possible that the medical services
after re-organisation will be adequate, and fully co-ordinated with the work of
all the Departments of the new Local Authorities.
Again I would like to express my grateful thanks to the Chairman and
Members of the Public Health Committee for their continued support, and to all
the staff of the Public Health Department for their enthusiasm and loyalty.
H. FRANKS, M.B., B.S., B.Hy.,D.P.H.
Medical Officer of Health
June, 1973
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