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15 <br /> Barnstable County Health Department <br /> 1971 .Annual Report <br /> This has been a year of self evaluation, proposals, growth <br /> and change as well as involvement in community planning <br /> group. Each department worker in reviewing accomplish- <br /> ments, has expressed the need for unification of county-wide <br /> services in his own field; there continues to be duplication, <br /> fragmentation and unequal distribution of services. This is <br /> based on the variety of authority and structure of public and <br /> private agencies in the 15 towns. In Environmental Health, ' <br /> Medical Social Work, Nursing and Dental Health all have <br /> outlined an upper, mid and lower Cape staffing pattern <br /> using experienced staff and junior workers. These areas <br /> would have planned supervision, clerical service, personnel <br /> and service policies and provision for substitute coverage <br /> during absences. Priority in planning will be given to the <br /> following: strengthening of staff members and services in <br /> Environmental Health, Medical Social Work, and the re- <br /> classification of staff positions. <br /> Environmental Health: More requests are being made for <br /> water chemistry because of the public's awareness of eco- <br /> logical and pollution problems; more inspections of food es- <br /> tablishments, and of day care centers, continue to be needed. <br /> Workshops on a regular basis have been begun so that Health <br /> Agents and Department Staff can share problems and can <br /> jointly engage other consultant help. <br /> Nursing, Dental and Medical Social Work: Again the <br /> number of workers in school health services has increased <br /> as school population increased. Consultation has increased <br /> to schools and home health agencies where new nurses and <br /> health aides have been employed. The state clinic program <br /> for handicapped children has been transferred to the <br /> county for full management, and three new positions are <br /> state funded: that of physical therapist, developmental thera- <br /> pist and head clerk. Their talents and time are also offered <br /> to licensed day care centers in a consultant capacity and <br /> to schools. <br /> The County Health Officer, Miss Mary Susich, an- <br /> nounced her retirement as of the end of the year. Because <br /> I <br />