AGY-4586 | Consultative Council on Infantile Paralysis (1937-1945) / Consultative Council on Physically Handicapped Persons (1945-1973)

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The Consultative Council on Infantile Paralysis held its first meeting at the office of the Hospitals Commission on 30 December 1937. Council members were Dr R.B. Wade, Dr E.H.M. Stephen, Dr Wallace, Dr J. Steigrad, Dr Margaret Harper, and Dr Karen Helms. Dr Wade was elected Chairman by the Council’s members.(1)

The Council was to investigate and make recommendations regarding the treatment of those suffering from infantile paralysis. The Council advised the Minister for Health on matters relating to the problems and the needs of physically handicapped persons. The Council would review requests for funds and equipment from hospitals and organisations such as the Society for Crippled Children and would organise training for hospital staff in the use of equipment. Over time the Council was responsible for providing assistance and rehabilitation services to those suffering physical handicaps. For example, the Council would organise vocational training for patients and would decide on applications for physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Until July 1945 the Council was titled the Consultative Council on Infantile Paralysis but the Council received approval from the Minister for Health to change the Council’s title and from its meeting on 10 August 1945 was known as the Consultative Council on Physically Handicapped Persons.(2)

A sub-committee of three, including the Chairman, was constituted at the 13 January 1938 meeting to discuss and set up a scheme of organisation for the care of acute and post-acute cases to be presented before the whole Council at its next meeting on 20 January 1938.

At the Council’s meeting on 9 August 1973, the Chairman conveyed the Health Minister’s desire for the Council not to be disbanded but to only meet once a year. Council members recommended meetings should be held twice a year but it would appear the Council did not meet after 9 August 1973.(3)

ENDNOTES
1. Minutes of the Consultative Council on Infantile Paralysis, 30 December 1937, State Records reference 6/889.
2. Minutes of the Consultative Council on Infantile Paralysis, 10 August 1945, State Records reference 6/889
3. Minutes of the Consultative Council on Infantile Paralysis, 9 August 1973, State Records reference 6/892; evidence for the Consultative Council for the Physically Handicapped not continuing beyond 9 August 1973 include the lack of Minutes and also the former Medical Officer and Secretary to the Consultative Council for the Physically Handicapped did not exist in the Health Commission Act 1972 Regulations issued on 13 September 1974.(NSW Government Gazette No.110, 13 September 1974, p3566)