Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-12
County Health
.|nadequacies
|Hit in Report
BY WILLIAM TALBOT

Shortcomings Of a Health De-
partment sadly inadequate to
meet needs of Prince Georges
County residents are outlined in
Ia report released yesterday by
the county's League Of Women
Voters.
The report. prepared by the
organizations health committee.
headed by Mrs. Frank ]. Kottke
of Laurel. ends a one-year study
of the departments function and
its role in improving county
health standards.
DR.. Thomas S. Englar, who
heads the department. said he
would withhold comment on the
report until he has an oppor-
tunity to study it.
Inadequacies Noted
The committees study noted
these inadequacies:
/. Prince Georges is without
any dental, epilepsy or cardiac
clinic. which are greatly needed.
There also is a demand for either
enlargement of present clinics or
Organization of additional ones in
the field of maternal, child and
mental health.
The league also found the
county is without clinics in
alcoholism, cerebral palsy and
cancer. although, it pointed out.
figures are not available to in
!dicate the need for these facili-
ties.
2. Public Health nurses are
unable to perform adequate fol-
low:up work to teach patients
proper home care and treat
ment.
8. The total number Of en-
Iployes in the department needs
to be expanded, according to
recognized standards. from the
present 20 employees to 1903 "in
order that an adequate mini
mum program for a county Of
this size may be offered"
4. The county is without q
plan Of community health edu-
cation which would help ITO
achieve a high level Of health
and sanitation, emphasize pre-
vention and early detection of
illness and encourage eligible
persons to make use Of avail
able Health Department serv-
ices"
/ S. There is no countrywide
visiting nurse service.
| 6. Salaries Of nurses and
clerks are lower than those OF
other jurisdictions in the met
ropolitan area and. in many
cases are still at the State mini
mum.
7. The department has failed
to properly analyze It's functions
and to plan for expansion as de-
manded by the rapid growth in
the county's population since
World War II.
Clinic Space Needed
/ 8. The department must de.
pend. for the most part, upon
municipalities or voluntee Ell
groups to provide clinics. The
county provides no funds fol
physical facilities at the clinics
other than those at the court
house in Upper Marlboro and the
county service building IN Hyatts-
vile. The county should provide
clinic space and equipment and
give the department a free hand
to locate the various clinics where
they may be Of greatest service
/ 8. Effectiveness Of the school
health program, which is admin
istered by the school board. Is
limited because the health de-
partment is unable to give ade-
quate follow-up care to children
found in need Of treatment by
the school nurse aides. More
nurses for home visits, additional
clinics and competent technical
supervision Of the nurse aides
was held to be the solution OF
this problem.
| 10. The department does not
issue an annual report or any
other information to the public
| II. The departments office in
IHyattsville is entirely made
quate." The report recommends
acquisition Of a separate, CEN
Itrally located building for the
department and some Of its
clinics.