[Report 1938] / Medical Officer of Health, Hertfordshire County Council.

  • Hertfordshire (England). County Council. n 50062101.
Date:
1938
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1938] / Medical Officer of Health, Hertfordshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/86 (page 24)
    Especially in the case of the growing child and the young adult the help given under various activities of the Public Assistance Scheme exercises a definite influence in maintaining health and in promoting the Public Health Welfare of the County. The provision which is now made in the Public Assistance Institutions in the County for the treatment of the acutely ill, for the chronic sick and for the care of maternity cases and young children contribute in their several ways to the raising of the standard of health in the County in the twofold aspect of prevention and treatment, and one can visualize in the future an increased scope for Public Assistance in relation to the prevention of disease. The old con- ception of the Poor Law as assistance to those in want is being replaced by a broader view, namely, assistance which is called for to conserve resistance and prevent those diseases which are the result of impaired nutrition. The wide application of such a preventative measure can best be carried out on practical lines by the Public Assistance Department of a Public Health Authority. Extensions and Improvements. Each year sees some advance by way of extensions or improvements in the Public Assistance provision in the County. The increasing population in the County and the fact that there is an ever-increasing popular demand for using the services provided by Public Assistance make it necessary to have the question of the accommodation provided in Public Assistance Institutions for various types of disease and ill-health constantly under review. The necessity for maintaining the standard of efficiency as regards facilities for treatment also calls for the provision of or replace- ment by new equipment. Extensions and improvements which have been under con- sideration or have been provided during the year include the following : — Wellhouse Hospital, Barnet.—Further consideration has been given to the provision of the new Receiving Ward and the extensions to the Nurses' House and Maids’ Home. As the new Receiving Ward will be used as First Aid Posts its adaption for this purpose has had to be arranged. New and greatly improved office accommodation has now been provided for the Medical Superintendent and Steward. The necessary action has also been taken to provide a new house for the Senior Assistant Medical Officer. The additional medical equipment provided during the year included a new 25 horse power Vauxhall Ambulance and a mobile X-ray Unit. Shrodells, Watford.—A scheme of further extension has been adopted. The scheme will provide for 60 additional beds for