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The infant mortality rate of 28.33 1960, as compared with 17.67 for 1959, must
give cause for concern, although a high proportion of the deaths which occurred were
in cases where it appears to have been unavoidable. More detailed record keeping of
the events concerning each infant death may, during 1961, give a possible clue to further
administrative action to reduce infant deaths.
Immunisation came in for its quota of intensive activity during the year and it is
pleasing to record that Dr. Mair’s efforts to increase the numbers immunised against
whooping cough produced excellent results. We need to press forward with continued
publicity in an attempt to raise the proportion of those immunised against all those
diseases where immunisation is feasible.
The staffing of the dental service continues to be a source of difficulty, and in order
to try to provide at least a skeleton emergency service an attempt was made to operate
the dental suites at Oxlow Lane Clinic from Monday to Friday. Unfortunately, this
meant the withdrawal of dental service from all other clinics and it is hoped that recruitment
will improve during 1961.
Attention should be drawn to the fact that there is a three months waiting list for
the average case attending for child guidance treatment. This must be considered as
far from satisfactory.
The ophthalmic clinics continue to provide a satisfactory service, although once
again both ophthalmic surgeons appeal for the services of a dispensing optician at the
clinic.
The home help service continues to expand and gives the same story of increased
demand.
Towards the end of the year consideration was given to the future of chiropody in
Dagenham, and a suggestion was made to the County Council for an establishment of
5 full-time chiropodists. As it was possible to secure the services of 2 full-time chiropodists
only there existed at the end of the year 3 full-time vacancies
The work of the health visitors increased during the year and I would like to draw
attention particularly to the visits in connection with housing priorities. During the
year the number of housing applications considered, which were brought to the notice of
the department by medical certificates, was 196.
The report on the Kingsley Hall Day Centre for Handicapped Children under 5
records the progress of these children after the Centre had operated for 7 months. Sister
Cowling and her staff worked hard to make it a success and we have thought it worthwhile
to include photographs of some of the children which amply justify the comment
in the full report—"If you didn't know you'd think they were normal."
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