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5
MIDWIFERY.
The establishment for domiciliary mid-
wives is 12; these midwives are allotted
specific areas and they cover roughly two-thirds of the Borough.
Midwifery for the remaining third is provided by the midwives
residing at York House. In addition, the arrangement with the
Solvation Army Midwives continues to function. This organisation
usually supplies two midwives but owing to the reduction in the
number of cases, one midwife only is based at the Salvation Army
Home at the present time. All the midwives working in the
Borough have received training in the administration of gas and
air analgesia.
HEALTH VISITING.
The establishment of Health Visitors for
Dagenham is 12 plus one Superintendent.
During the year 1949 it was not possible
to fill the establishment and consequently the work had to be spread
over. Additional duties have been entrusted to Health Visitors
under the Nationa! Health Service Act which have considerably
extended their scope.
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION.
Immunisation against both Diphtheria
and Whooping Cough is carried out in
the district, although that against Whooping
Cough is on a limited scale. Mothers
ire discouraged from having their children "protected" against
this disease owing to the low immunity, if any, achieved by the
reagents at present available.
In addition to that carried out by the staff of the area, immunisation
is also carried out by general practitioners who receive
a fee of 5/- for each report submitted. Vaccination is paid for
under the same scheme.
prevention of illness, care and after-care.
A number of activities are carried out
under Section 28 of the Act and it is
likely that these activities will be extended.
the tuberculosis Care association
This Association has been in operation for
a number of years and it plays an active
part in its particular field. To complete
the liaison, the Chairman of the Health Area Sub-Committee has
been appointed Chairman of the Local Association. The Association
receives a grant from the County Council and undertakes the
mvestigation of cases and recommends provision of articles and
nutrients which would not otherwise be obtainable by the patients.