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The passing of the Clean Air Act drew attention to the problem of atmospheric
pollution. Preliminary work on a proposed Smoke Control Area has been carried out.
Though the Borough does not suffer from atmospheric pollution to the same extent as
industrial areas, the records kept by the Department during the last six years show
that there is room for considerable improvement. When considering the cost to be
met by the Government, the Borough Council and the householder in implementing the
Clean Air Act, the extent of the present damage to health, buildings and fabrics
should be remembered.
The volume of official and voluntary work on the care of the aged and chronic
sick grows, but deficiencies remain. A serious problem is that of firming accommodation
for such as have reached the last stages of their illness or senscence.
Neither the home nursing nor the home help services can meet the need of day and
night care, and there is a limit to what relatives and neighbours, if available, can
do but they have to struggle on as there seldom is a hospital or institution bed
available. When appeals for help are made to the Department the feeling of frustration
at not being able to do anything is deepened by admiration of the unselfish
devotion of others in most distressing circumstances.
People prefer to believe that illness is something imposed from without
rather than something generated from within. External influences play their part
but it should be remembered that many people are ill, because they have not learned
how to live within their incomes, with their families, with their neighbours, with
their workmates, with their environment and with themselves. The answer to this
loss of wellbeing is not the National Health Service as 'the fault is not in
our stars but in ourselves'.
Information from many sources has been incorporated in this report and I would
like to thank all who have contributed. The co-operation of all other Departments
and the loyal assistance of my staff have been sources of pleasure throughout the
year. To the Council for their encouragement and support, my thanks are sincere.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
A. ANDERSON.
Medical Officer of Health.
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