View report page

35
The arrangements for treating orthopædic cases, whilst by no means unsatisfactory
leave much to be desired, insofar that the classroom in which treatment
is conducted is too small and has none of the amenities which are necessary for
such work.
The inauguration, too, of an Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic will mean the erection
of suitable accommodation.
It is my submission that these special services, together with Orthoptics,
i.e., the correction of squint, all require the establishment of a central out-patient
department where they can be carried on under satisfactory conditions.
In writing on Clinics and Treatment Centres, I am asked to include clinics
solely for diagnosis or consultation.
The work in Barking is so intimately co-ordinated that it is difficult to say
that any certain clinic is set aside for consultation or diagnosis, but, of course, the
Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics are essentially for diagnosis, consultation
and helpful advice, rather than for treatment. Other clinics also, it may be said,
are held for diagnosis and consultation. Thus we have a Consultative Obstetrical
and Gynaecological Clinic where Mr. J. V. O'Sullivan visits, and a Consultative
Orthopaedic Clinic where Mr. B. Whitchurch Howell attends.
(e) Nursing in the Howe.—Nursing is still a pressing problem in Barking.
The East Barking District Nursing Association has had an uphill fight, and I am
happy to record that a further measure of success has been achieved. It is still
difficult at times to obtain sufficient funds to carry on all the work the Association
would like to undertake, but it is pleasing to record that the Association have
succeeded in augmenting their nursing staff, so that two full-time nurses are now
employed as against only one nurse in the year 1935.
During the year the Council decided to make a donation of £100 per annum
to this body and the Executive committee of the Association have expressed their
grateful thanks for the Council's decision. I myself am of the opinion that if the
district is to be served adequately it would warrant the appointment of four nurses.
The Plaistow Maternity Hospital and District Nurses' Home have still continued
to undertake their work, as they have done in the past, in Barking. This work
however is not self-supporting and I hope that notwithstanding this the work will
be continued.