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4
To the Chairman and Members of the Urban District Council
of Dagenham.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
1 beg to submit my report on the health and sanitary conditions
of the district for the year 1929.
The year saw the last of the phenomenal rate of development
and almost the completion of the London County Council
Housing Estate of Becontree in the Dagenham area. During
the year some 4,000 Estate houses were erected, making a
total in this area of 15,033 houses; and leaving to be completed
early in 1930 another 232. This cessation of expansion will
now permit of arrears being overtaken and case the administration
of the local public services.
With regard to the health services, conditions arc rapidly
improving. During the year, sanction was obtained for the
erection of the two Combined Treatment Centres in this area
and in December work was begun on the Becontree Clinic.
The official opening of the building took place on 12th April.
1930. In January the Dagenham Clinic was started and will
shortly be available for use. These clinics are used for the
holding of Infant Welfare Centres and Ante-natal Clinics,
and are loaned to the Essex County Council for the holding
of Minor Ailment Clinics and Tuberculosis Dispensaries. In
addition to these clinics, the premises are equipped as dental
clinics and for the application of ultra-violet therapy. In the
Becontree clinic a small laboratory has been fitted enabling
diphtheria swabs now to be reported upon in a shorter time.
A local Out-Patients Department is being erected at Five
Elms in connection with the extensions of the King George
Hospital at llford, while the extensions of the Isolation Hospital
at Rush Green are now approaching completion. The
Local District Nursing Association is now firmly established,
Maintaining a permanent staff of three, with additional temporary
staff of a further three. There are prospects of the
establishment of a Branch Training Home in the locality in
connection with this Association. This should greatly increase
the facilities for home general nursing in the district. The
Essex Education Committee through the Provision of Meals