[Report 1936] / Medical Officer of Health, Oldham County Borough.

  • Oldham (England). County Borough Council. nb2004302054.
Date:
1936
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1936] / Medical Officer of Health, Oldham County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The year has been one of considerable stress for the staff of the Department, and the hopeless inadequacy of the present premises has added to their difficulties. The new scale of salaries for the professional, technical, administrative and clerical staffs, which came into force on April 1st, has undoubtedly resulted in less resignations from the Health Visitors’ staff, but the difficulty of obtaining suitable and experienced candidates for vacancies in our Hospital and Sanitary staff has been most pronounced. The lack of superannuation is undoubtedly one of the chief causes, and restricts the field of recruitment, to our detriment. The past year has seen a definite step towards the closer co-ordination of the School Medical Service with those other services responsible for the provision of medical and dental treatment. The Assistant School Medical Officers now undertake duties for the Health Committee, and in return the Deputy Medical Officer of Health undertakes School Medical Duties of a senior nature. The Senior School Dental Officer performs duties for the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee. Such co-ordination will provide the most efficient Health Sendee. It should also attract keen and experienced applicants for vacancies in the staff when such occur. An enthusiastic officer will welcome a position which provides the greatest scope for his experience and training. It would be an added attraction if the Assistant School Medical Officers were officially on the staff of the Public Health Department. During the year much time and labour has been devoted to the various hospitals under the control of the Committee. The Medical Superintendent has made many urgently needed changes at the Muni¬ cipal Hospital. At Westhulme improvements have been made, but there is a pressing need for a Cubicle Isolation Block and for new wards. Under the present arrangement, the Hospital cannot be efficient when the Resident Medical Officer has to devote a great part of her time to duties outside the Hospital. Finally, it should be our aim to co-ordinate all the Medical Services in the area, so that they may be administered economically and efficiently. The duplication of specialised services, either by a voluntary or municipal body, should be strongly condemned. Only by friendly co-operation and the free interchanging of views and policy can this aim be achieved. I wish to tender my sincere thanks to the Chairman and Members of the Public Health and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees for their continued support and encouragement. My thanks are also due to all members of the Staff, Medical, Nursing and Clerical, for their loyal co-operation and assistance during the year. I have the honour to be, Your obedient servant, J. T. CHALMERS KEDDIE, Medical Officer of Health.
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