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relationship with groups of family doctors and be
linked as disciplines by the medical officer of
health within his health area.
Based on the above figures a model team in
each average sized health centre or large group
practice serving for example a population of
20,000 persons would be—
Doctors 8
Health visitors 4
Home nurses 3
Mid wives 1-2
Social worker 1
Home helps 20
Clerical staff 6
In addition to the above team local authorities
also employ many other professional staff who
would work from time to time in close liaison
with the family doctors especially if they were all
under the same roof! For instance I have already
discussed at some length the possible relationship
that could be developed with the departmental
medical officers; other staff would include dental
surgeons, orthodontists, psychologists, child care
and family case workers, physiotherapists,
speech therapists, orthoptists, audiometricians,
peripatetic teachers and those in the social work
field. Also for many years local authorities have
had the invaluable assistance of hospital
specialists seconded by the Regional Hospital
Board for sessional work within clinics and health
centres. Such specialists in Hounslow include on a
regular basis a paediatrician, psychiatrists,
orthopaedic surgeons, otologists, ophthalmologists
and several others on an occasional
basis.
Some doctors have informed me that they are
apprehensive about losing some degree of their
special doctor/patient relationship in a health
centre organised in this way. I feel sure the
answer is that those doctors, who are aware of
the extreme importance of such a relationship in
general practice, will always attain it successfully
wherever they work.
Further it can undoubtedly be said that expert
help whether administrative, social or nursing,
according to circumstances, may relieve the
doctor of many tasks and allow him to
concentrate on the work for which he has been
trained and has made his chosen vocation.
Certainly I have found that case conferences
held by such a multi-disciplinary team never fail
to enrich and broaden the vision of those
participating and yet allow each individual the
opportunity to specialise according to his or her
interest.
Finally, to this whole health team one could
apply what has been said recently in relation to
doctors 'wherever a doctor practices, courtesy,
kindness and gentleness forms an essential part of
the art of medicine'. This must not be forgotten
in an age of computers, age/sex registers and
sophisticated techniques.
Appreciation
I would like once again to thank the family
doctors and hospital staff for their help and
co-operation on numerous occasions during the
year.
I would also wish to thank the members of
voluntary associations who have contributed so
much to the success of the services.
My thanks are also due to all the members of
the staff of the Department of Health for their
loyal support and conscientious attention to duty
throughout the year. I would like to thank all who
have contributed to the compilation of this report
and in particular Mrs Marilyn Sturgeon who once
again has helped with the design and general
layout.
I wish to thank the chief and senior officers of
the other departments for their ready help during
the year.
I also wish to express my appreciation to the
chairman and members of the Health Committee
and Public Health (Special Powers) Sub
Committee, the chairman and members of the
Education Committee and Special Services Sub
Committee for their continued understanding and
considerable support which have once again been
a source of inspiration to myself and all members
of the department.
Medical Officer of Health and
Principal School Medical Officer
Department of Health
92 Bath Road Hounslow Middx
21