In the 1920's, health and welfare services on Prince Edward Island were both limited and uncoordinated. The Red Cross had been energetic since WWI in the areas of school and community health and in 1925 the Maritime Tuberculosis Commission was created which provided a field health service for five years. Welfare services were offered by various institutions such as the local churches, hospitals, and orphanages, the Free Dispensary, Provincial Infirmary, children's aid societies and womens institutes. There was also a Social Services Council. In 1928 a Provincial Board of Health was instituted and a full time public health officer was employed. In 1931 a Provincial Department of Health was created. Since that date government's role in the delivery of public welfare services has grown gradually until it has become the primary source of these services, supplemented by the activities of various charitable organizations and associations.