[Report 1970-1971] / Medical Officer of Health, Berkshire County Council.

  • Berkshire (England). County Council.
Date:
1971
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1970-1971] / Medical Officer of Health, Berkshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    this short period and were delivered to the Chairman of the County Council. This would appear to be a very significant return of public opinion. Steady progress has been made in the recruitment of staff. During the two years under review the number of Senior Dental Officers increased from one to three whilst the Dental Officers increased from 5-7 to 8. A promotion structure has been introduced with an increase in senior posts to 3. The introduction of salaries, which could be better compared with the incomes of general practice, would of course alter the recruiting position considerably and a more stable staff committing themselves to full time work for this service, would result. It is sub- mitted that to produce a first class priority service for children there must be established sufficient inducement for first class career minded dentists to transfer from general service in sufficient numbers to make selection meaningful. The standard of burgery accommodation and equipment therein has not been very high and the report suggested that this should be improved. In the summer of 1971, a beginning has been made to refur- nish and re-equip our old surgeries where there is not any likelihood in the near future of health centre development. The very small surgery at Newbury is the first to be improved and the staff working there have greatly appreciated these improvements. I would like to thank all members of the staff for sustaining their efforts throughout this period. With the introduction of mobile units and in the future, additional fixed accommodation, together with increased numbers of staff, a new look can be taken at work loads with, it is hoped, an increasing improvement in the amount of treatment and care given to the children of Berkshire. 5. NURSING SERVICES Health Visiting In June 1970, the second Principal Nursing Officer was appointed with general management functions for East Berkshire and also with special responsibility for health visiting and school nursing. Her task was to set and maintain standards of health visiting and school nursing practice throughout the county and advise the County Nursing Officer on these subjects. There was no difficulty in filling vacancies during the two years and there were also many applications for health visitor training courses. 13 persons were selected for training in 1970, and 16 for the following year. In addition one health visitor was sponsored for training as a Health Visitor Tutor in 1970, and two more were sponsored in 1971. 10 health visitors were selected to be Field Work Instructors during the two years.