Report / Department of Public Health, Tasmania.

  • Tasmania. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1956]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report / Department of Public Health, Tasmania. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/56 (page 6)
    6 have his title changed from “ Director-General of Medical Services ” to that of “ Director-General of Health Services ” for very much the same rea¬ sons. It is hoped that before the end of the year the necessary legislation will be approved and passed by the administration. A ccommodation. During the year further accommodation was made available to the Department. A point had been reached at which the grossly-overcrowded state of the Department was causing serious dis¬ location of work, and efficiency was in jeopardy. Fortunately for the Department, this was reme¬ died by means of making available accommodation on the first floor of the public buildings on the Davey Street frontage. This was taken over by the Division of Public Health in its entirety, thus giving very badly needed relief to the whole De¬ partment. Active negotiations are also in train with the purpose of making additional accommo¬ dation available to the Division of Mental Hy¬ giene. This Division is, if anything, in a more acute stage of overcrowding than the Headquar¬ ters was. I am quite confident that ways and means will be found to relieve this difficult state of affairs. Health Education. Early in 1956 the existing Health Education Council was reformed. This reformation took the form of the appointment of a lay-chairman (Com¬ mander G. E. W. W. Bayly) and a more balanced community representation. The Departmental Public Relations Officer (Mr. E. H. G. Matthews), who came to the Department early in 1955, was appointed secretary. The result of this reconsti¬ tution has been a very definite move for the better. More active Health Education work has been un¬ dertaken, and regular meetings of the Council have been held under the able chairmanship of Commander G. E. W. W. Bayly. Peter MacCallum Clinic. We were very honoured to have a visit from Sir Peter MacCallum, who accepted the Depart¬ ment’s invitation to lay the foundation stone of the new Deep Therapy Treatment Clinic at Laun¬ ceston General Hospital. The fact that the date of this function coincided with Sir Peter’s birthday made it a still happier occasion. Construction of this clinic at Launceston has progressed in a most satisfactory way, and I feel sure it will not be long before the clinic is ready to carry out its very important work. Finally, I wish once more to express my grati¬ tude to my staff for the conscientious and loyal way in which they have carried out their duties during the year. The obvious pride with which they accomplished their duties is a very real thing in this Department, and as its permanent Head I find it very gratifying and pleasant to have the privilege of working with such colleagues. I have, &c., JOHN EDIS, M.R.C.O.G (Lond.), M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P. (Lond.), Director-General of Medical Services.