[Report 1946] / Medical Officer of Health, Epsom & Ewell Borough.

  • Epsom and Ewell (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1946
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1946] / Medical Officer of Health, Epsom & Ewell Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    4/34 (page 2)
    Public Health Dept., West Hill House, West Hill, Epsom. September, 1947. To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1946, which has been prepared in accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 13/47. The vital statistics of the district for the year are satisfactory. The infant mortality rate remains very low, and the death rate from tubercu- losis has reached a record low level. In this connection it is a pleasure to be able to note the Council has been able to resume its policy of giving sympathetic consideration to the rehousing of families with a tuberculous member in an infectious or potentially infectious condition, housed in circumstances favourable to the spread of infection in the family. Legislation which will make important changes in the public health work has been enacted during the year, and some of the effects which the National Health Service Act will produce on the functions of this authority can now be estimated. Under Part II of the Act the Council will lose its remaining responsibility in hospital administration, in that the Cuddington Isolation Hospital, on whose Joint Board the Council is represented, will be transferred on the appointed day in 1947 to the charge of the Regional Hospital Board. Under Part III of the Act the duty to provide an Ambulance Service will now fall on the County Council as the local health authority, as will the responsibility for securing immunisation against diphtheria and vaccination against smallpox. Other services mentioned in Part III of the Act, such as those dealing with the care of mothers and young children, midwifery, health visiting, home nursing, and the provision of domestic help, are in this district already under the administration of the County Council. Other legislation includes the Ice-Cream (Heat Treatment) Regulations, which require the compulsory heat treatment of all ice-cream unless produced from what is known as a “ complete cold mix powder.” Shortage of equipment and practical difficulties in administrative control may prevent the regulations from being fully effective at once, but the ultimate result should be satisfactory. I take this opportunity of recording my appreciation of the work of my own staff and that of the Chief Sanitary Inspector. This applies to all members, whether technical, clerical or outdoor staff, every one of whom has shown great keenness and co-operation. I am, Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors, Your obedient Servant, CYRUS IVE, Medical Officer of Health.