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4
Public Health Department,
Municipal Offices,
Sheen Lane, S.W.14.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Barnes.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report on the health of
the Borough during the year 1947.
Although I present this report, the Medical Officer of Health
during most of the period under review was in fact Dr. R. C.
Webster, who resigned his appointment as Medical Officer of
Health upon obtaining an appointment with another authority.
He left the service of the Barnes Borough Council on the 9th
October, 1947. In view of the prospective changes anticipated under
the National Health Service Act, the post was not filled but I was
appointed Acting Medical Officer of Health pending some more
definite knowledge of the re-organisation of Health Services under
the new Act.
This will be the last report of a complete year's work of the
Health Department under conditions existing before the introduction
of the National Health Service Act.
The maternity and child welfare services, the infectious diseases
hospital and the ambulance service will all pass out of the jurisdiction
of the Barnes Borough Council, and only the work of the
Sanitary Inspectors, the control of infectious diseases and one or
more small services will remain.
The work of the Public Health Department has been well performed
throughout the years, no less as a result of the efficiency
of the staff but also because of the personal interest of the members
of the Council. Together the local knowledge and interest of the
Council and staff has resulted in a progressive health service
whereby the needs of the public have been well served over a period
of many years.
Change is inevitable, but nevertheless it is a sad moment when
the pride taken in local work well done and locally appraised is no
more.
At the time of writing, the future of many of the members of
the staff in the new Health Service is obscure, but among those
who have been transferred already to the County are the three
Health Visitors, Miss M. Parnell, Miss J. McNish and Miss O. L.
Wilson. It is only fitting that some reference should be made to