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547 mothers were accommodated for their confinements
in the Corporation Maternity Home during the
year and it was not until towards the end of the year
that shortage of nursing staff began to be felt. Until
then the position had been favourable compared with
most maternity units in the country.
Clinic attendances rose again to pre-war levels, but
the continued high pressure on the Bexleyheath Clinic
means that provision in the Long Lane area for an additional
Clinc cannot be long delayed. The needs for
Cold Blow and Old Bexley are not so urgent until housing
development in that area proceeds.
The Day Nursery attendances continued to fall in
the early months, but in the later months of the year 4
of the 6 nurseries had waiting list. Despite the fact
that the 24 hour nursery was still well used in Welling
throughout the year the Ministries of Health and Labour
& National Service insisted on closing the night nursery
in December.
The collection of house refuse was again not maintained
on a weekly basis owing to shortage of labour and
three weeks, and longer, sometimes elapsed between collections.
The controlled tips suffered from lack of suitable
covering material and shortage of labour. There
was a cricket infestation in one tip and the other was
set on fire and burned for many months. With an easing
of the labour situation in 1946 these difficulties will be
overcome.
During practically the whole of the year under review
I was absent in the Army and I must express my
appreciation of the way in which Dr. Love took over the
duties at a difficult time and successfully began the
change back to peace time working of the department.
I have also to acknowledge the fullest help of the
Health Committee and the Chief Officers of the other
Departments.
In thanking the staff of the Health Department for
their excellent co-operation and hard work T wish to take
the opportunity of welcoming back those members of the
staff who have now returned from the Forces.
G. F. BRAMLEY,
Medical Officer of Health
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