Medical Officer of Health

• Medical Officer of Health; 1873-1974

• MOH

The first medical officer of health was appointed in 1873 when the corporation became the urban sanitary distinct. The post became full-time in 1900. At times the post holder was also the Principal School Medical Officer
Reported to Health Committee, See also School Medical Officer.

A qualified doctor, the MOH advised on policy, improvements and reported statistics. Produced annual report. Suggestions were not always acted upon by the committee, such as the need to remove slaughterhouses from the city centre in the 1870s, and warnings of unsanitary housing being erected in the 1890s.

By the mid twentieth century the post managed the large Health Department which was divided into Health Services, School Medical Service (jointly with Education Department) and Public Health Inspection including sanitary inspection. Health services in the 1950s included maternity and child welfare, district nursing, domicilary midwifery, health visiting, home helps, ambulance service, day nurseries, mental welfare and welfare foods.

The first medical officer of health was appointed in 1873 when the corporation became the urban sanitary distinct. The post became full-time in 1900. At times the post holder was also the Principal School Medical Officer

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa

VCH York, JBM How York Governs Itself, CYC 1956-1959 Review of Administration