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The section of the Report dealing with Maternal & Child Welfare (pages 41 - 6l) conveys
the impression of a gradually broadening scope of service in response to advances in modern
medical knowledge and techniques. It contains an account, beginning on page 59. of one of
the most encouraging features of the service, namely the various ways in which the health
visitors have formed working groups under the leadership of their senior officers, to pursue
specific service problems or general consultative functions. The results are already
becoming apparent in a more mature understanding of the subjects under consideration and a
greater skill in assessing the right kind of help to bring to difficult social or family
situations. Of the more tangible products, the simple practical leaflets designed by the
health visitors to supplement their personal advice on maternal and child care, are becoming
known and valued beyond the boundaries of West Ham. I feel sure that these developments will
ultimately come to exert a very favourable and far-reaching influence on the services given
to the public.
On pages 65 and 68 respectively will be found brief notes on the extension of the
Ministry's scheme for poliomyelitis vaccination and on the extension of the tuberculosis
health visitors' responsibilities into the field of social work; while pages 71 and 72
contain a rather more extended account of the development of the occupational therapy
service. The year also saw substantial developments in the Occupation Centre (page 83).
The Report on the School Health Service is introduced by a review of the first fifty
years progress (page 87). Though written by one of his successors, it may perhaps form
an appropriate setting for Dr.Furniss's retirement and also the prelude to a new approach
to the supervision of the health of the school child. Much thought has been devoted to this
subject in various quarters during recent years, and the Ministry of Education gave a helpful
lead as to the direction it might take in the revised School Health Service and Handicapped
Pupils Regulations. Perhaps subsequent reports may have something to tell about the
application of these principles to the practical organisation of the service.
Once again it is necessary to conclude with an expression of regret for the delay in
publication. The reasons are to be found, as before, in the preoccupation of senior officers
with service problems. Important as these reports are, their composition must be fitted in
as opportunities arise, without prejudicing the efficient operation of the service.
My grateful thanks are due to the Committees for their support and to the staff whose
devoted service made all this achievement possible.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. ROY DENNISON.
Medical Officer of Health and
Principal School Medical Officer.
Health Department,
225, Romford Road,
FOREST GATE, E.7.
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