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4
secured an appointment as a Sanitary Inspector with another authority.
CLINICS.
The adaptation of The Leys Nursery for clinic
purposes has been fully justified by the large
attendances both at the Infant Welfare and Ante-natal clinics.
Arrangements are being made for orthopaedic clinics to be held also
at these premises.
The Becontree Avenue and Ford Road clinics have been restored
to their former use, consequently the premises temporarily utilised at
Valence Club and Finnymore Road have been vacated.
HOME AND
DOMESTIC
HELPS.
The scheme previously in force has been
amended and extended. The rates of payment
have been increased and a new scale for recovery
of fees is under consideration as is the appointment
of a full-time organiser.
MOBILE
OBSTETRIC
UNIT.
On the 1st March this unit was called to a
patient in Chadwell Heath who was gravely ill.
The personnel of the unit remained with the
patient for many hours until midnight and then
returned at 1.30 a.m. on the following morning. The patient was given
a blood transfusion and after a stay in Rush Green Emergency Hospital
made a complete recovery. The child also was discharged fit and well
and suffered no after-effects from the ordeal undergone by the mother.
The highest praise is due to all concerned with this episode
including, of course, the midwife in charge of the patient. It is
undoubtedly true to state that but for the prompt turning out of this
unit and the devoted services of all those associated, the patient would
have lost her life.
SCHOOL
MEDICAL
SERVICE.
At the time of writing this report no final
arrangements had been made fully to implement
the scheme of divisional administration.
ment has been reached on major points and it is
hoped that the final details will be settled early in 1947 to enable the
Maternity and Child Welfare and School Medical Services to be
completely integrated.
PREMATURE
INFANTS.
Having in mind the ease of access to Oldchurch
County Hospital where all facilities exist for
dealing with premature infants, it was felt that
the needs would be fully met by the provision of hot water bottles and
other facilities for the use of premature infants. During the year
62 infants whose birth weight was 5½ lbs. and under were notified to the
department. With very few exceptions, all of these 62 infants survived
beyond the first four weeks of life.