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I have already informed the Council that I am retiring as Medical Officer of
Health of Ealing. I have been in Public Health for 38 years and enjoyed the
performance of my work. I hope that I may have done a useful job for the community
and kept a small flag of enterprise and initiative flying whenever it has been possible
to do so. Ealing is shortly to enlarge its health and welfare functions and will
have to enter into some they have never tackled before. As I should in any case
be retiring shortly, it is, I think, wise to anticipate the date a little and thus permit
the making of plans for this considerable reorganisation in good time. I have
no doubt that this will result in a highly efficient and valuable health service when
the new borough comes into full operation. I have personally lived and worked
through the greatest revolution in social services this country has ever known and
have been allowed to see it in the front line of the fight. It has often been a
challenge, and sometimes a frustration, but throughout it has given me a sense
of satisfaction. One has had the gratification of feeling that one's life work has
been given over either to disease prevention, or the amelioration of its effects on
illness where one could not yet prevent.
In Ealing I have had the fullest possible assistance in any schemes I have put
before the Council, and I hope that the trust they have placed in me has resulted
in an efficient service and a good basis for future developments. We have been
pioneers in a number of fields such as food hygiene, prevention of foot deformities,
care of the disabled elderly, and in the prevention of atmospheric pollution. These
schemes have involved much work. Always your staff have been keen and alive
to the importance of their job, and I should like to pay a tribute to the splendid
spirit they have always shown, not only in the routine work, but also in the
organization and drive during the periods of the many exhibitions held in the borough.
We are fortunate in having a number of excellent lecturers on our staff, and they have
always been most willing to use their abilities at all times on behalf of the Council.
May I finally express my thanks to the Council for their consideration in every
way, and acknowledge the help I have received from my fellow Chief Officers
whenever I have had occasion to call upon them for their advice and assistance.
It has been a happy ship in which to sail.
Your obedient servant,
W. G. BOOTH,
Medical Officer of Health.
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