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Figure 5, prepared in this manner, shows that loss of life due
to diseases of the heart is equalled by that due to infant deaths. When
it is remembered that pre-natal deaths (still-births) are excluded from
consideration, the importance of infant life wastage is again emphasized.
Cancer, diseases of the brain, and chest diseases all diminish
slightly in importance, whilst tuberculosis becomes twice as important
and the significance of accidents, suicides, etc. more than doubles.
MORTUARY FACILITIES.
The Borough Mortuary has been out of use since the end of 1952
owing to the illness and the eventual retirement of your former
mortuary keeper. Partly in view of your difficulties in appointing a
suitable successor but mainly owing to your realisation that the existing
wilding lacked modern amenities, you agreed to continue the temporary
arrangements Tor the use of the Ilford mortuary pending the provision
of proper facilities in Barking.
It was apparent from the outset that it would be uneconomical
to build, equip and run a mortuary solely for our own use, and you
accordingly considered proposals for the joint use of the mortuary
at the Barking Hospital. Plans were prepared for the enlargement and
modernisation of this mortuary, including the provision of a refrigerating
plant and the addition of a viewing chapel and waiting room
for relatives. ese works, together with the provision of the necessary
equipment, which would have cost between £3,000 and £4,000 were to
be borne entirely by the Borough Council, whilst running costs were
to be shared by the Council and the Ilford and Barking Group Hospital
Management Committee. Unfortunately your proposals were not
favourably received by the Hospital Management Committee and this
tractive plan had to be abandoned.
it was known that our neighbours in East Ham were in a similar
position and that they were also hoping to rebuild. A proposal for
the erection of a joint mortuary was turned down by the East Ham
Council, although they offered us facilities when their new mortuary
as available. You eventually decided to make permanent arrangements
for the continued use of the llford Mortuary and you were
fortunate in obtaining the co-operation of the Ilford Borough
Council.
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