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During the year accommodation for patients suffering
from typhus in the event of the disease being introduced
into the country was considered and the Borough
Council came to an arrangement with the County Council
for the admission of cases in the first instance to
London County Council Hospitals and later to Bow
Arrow Hospital.
The demand for maternity accommodation has again
exceeded supply and the Maternity Home has continued
to work with an average of two midwives short of requirements
which has placed a severe strain on the rest
of the staff. The Ministries of Health and Labour and
National Service are now reviewing the question of shortage
of midwives throughout the country and it is hoped
that a solution will soon be found. As a partial solution
the Council agreed during the year to employ non-resident
midwives at the Home.
The Borough Ambulance had a 50% increase in calls
and there was a 100% increase in calls on outside ambulances
and in view of this increased use and the increased
number of mechanical breakdowns the Council
resolved to purchase an additional ambulance.
The Sanitary Inspectors made an increased number
of visits to various properties, food shops, etc., but their
work has been made more difficult in view of the shortage
of materials and labour in getting repairs carried
out, and difficulty has been experienced with regard to
collection and disposal of house refuse, and a weekly
collection has not yet been found possible. It has been
found necessary to spend a large amount of time inspecting
foodstuffs both canned and otherwise in various
bulk food stores.
I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the
Council and officers of all departments for their assistance
and especially to all the members of the Health
Department for the way in which they have cheerfully
and ungrudgingly in effort dealt with the new and
additional work of the depratment.
GEO. F. BRAMLEY, M.D., Ch.B., D.P.H..
Medical Officer of Health.
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