[Report 1949] / Medical Officer of Health, West Lothian County Council.

  • West Lothian (Scotland). County Council.
Date:
1949
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1949] / Medical Officer of Health, West Lothian County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    patients living in insanitary or overcrowded conditions con- tinues to present serious problems to house-letting commit- tees. This question and that of the insufficiency of hospital beds through lack of nursing staff are the chief obstacles to advance. They are having adverse effects both on treatment of the early case and in limitation of the spread of infection. It was hoped by 1950 to introduce B.C.G. -vaccination against tuberculosis, and to arrange for visits of the Regional Hospital Board’s mobile mass radiography unit to the County. VENEREAL DISEASES New cases reported from the treatment centre at Edin- burgh Royal Infirmary totalled 142 compared with 164 in 1948, and this probably represents a distinct lessening of the incidence of venereal infection. Treatment and travelling expenses are provided by the Regional Hospital Board, but requests are occasionally received for the assistance of health visitors for follow-up work. STAFF It is satisfactory to note that the post of second Assistant Medical Officer, made permanent the previous year, is now filled. Dr J. Murray McEwan was appointed in March to take up work mainly in the School Health Service, and has proved a welcome addition to the staff. There were two resignations from the health visitor staff during the year— Miss Mennie. Bo’ness district, and Miss Reekie, Whitburn district. These resignations are much regretted by their col- leagues and numerous clientele. Miss Reekie, who retired on account of ill-health, had served on the County Nursing Staff for 26 years. Both were health visitors of outstanding merit, and their service is acknowledged with gratitude. Miss M. S. Laing’s resignation in May from the post of joint chief clerkess after 24 years’ service with the County Health Department was a major loss. Her work was of the highest quality and her record of service is unique. On her departure the clerical staff of the Health and School Medical Depart- ments were combined under Miss Gillon, and the Medical Officer exchanged premises with the Welfare Officer. The re-arrangement has worked well, and grateful acknowledg- ments are due to all medical, technical, and clerical staff for their devoted service throughout the year. L. J. HOWIE, Medical Officer of Health. County Buildings, Linlithgow. 15th November, 1950.