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Council Home) was opened. It accommodates 61 elderly persons In most congenial
surroundings.
Also In Its vicinity in Bevan Avenue some bungalows are being built by the
Barking Corporation. These will accommodate 50 persons and, In addition, a resident
warden will be appointed to look after the occupants. The scheme includes
provision for a social hall.
ESTABLISHMENTS FOR MASSAGE
AND SPECIAL TREATMENT
Licences were issued during the year in respect of four establishments which
are governed by the Borough's bye-laws. In accordance with our requirements hot
water supply is available in each surgery.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
The laundry service for the chronic sick and elderly has continued to help 53
senior citizens, and in the service 12,325 articles have been collected, laundered
and returned. Our driver deserves special mention as in some cases his 'collection'
is far from a sweet smelling parcel.
PATHOLOGICAL SERVICES
As in previous years, we are Indebted to the Ilford and Barking Group Hospital
Pathological Service for the unfailing assistance given to us, and despite a change
over of the pathologist-in-charge during 1962, the staff continued the efficient runing
of the service.
Dr. T. Ellas-Jones left the Barking Hospital staff on 31st july, 1962 to take
up a more senior post in Glasgow and on the 1st November, 1962, Dr. J. Caiman
commenced his duties in the vacant post. I add some interesting details of the
work done In our local Barking Hospital Laboratory.
Specimens for examination
Bacteriology
Biochemistry Haematology
1962
1961
1,783
1,683
61
44
2,132
2,217
Total specimens examined:-
1961 3,976
1962 3,944
The trend shows a decrease in examinations for infectining organisms but an
increase in the realm of examinations of the blood. The ramifications of “Rhesus
Typing" has resulted in blood specimens being tested in much greater detail with
the resultant spotting of disease (such as Leukaemia) at a much earlier stage the
was previously possible.
As yet no routine cytological examination of "cervical smears” is carried out
but I hope that in the near future it may be possible for this simple examination be
done and in this way, many cases of cancer in women detected in the pre-malignant
stage.
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