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Maternity Mortality Rate—1.63.—Although the actual
Maternity Mortality Rate is low it shows an increase on 1954. The
team work which exists between the Hospitals' Staff and the Local
Health Authority Staff contributes very much to this satisfactory
state. It is to be hoped this co-operation will long continue.
Poliomyelitis.—During the year the continued recurrence
of this disease gave a very uneasy feeling. The incidence of this
disease is greatest during the months of July and August; in 1955
we had sixteen confirmed cases, but our maximum came in October
(7) and 2 cases appeared as late as November. It is to be hoped
that a remedy will soon be discovered to prevent or at least
inhibit this dread disease.
Housing.—We are continuing with our efforts to deal with
the Slum Clearance Programme and the Clearance Area Compulsory
Purchase Order in respect of the Snells Park Area was confirmed
by the Minister of Health and Local Government. This
must be a source of relief to the majority of the tenants of the
properties concerned, the Local Authority and certainly to me to
know that this heterogenous collection of buildings will at last
be cleared and replaced by new habitations. Much more still
remains to be done throughout the Borough.
Your staff are. however, much hampered by the continuous
changes and vacancies which are occurring amongst your Inspectorate.
A lot of work is involved in inspecting, issuing notices, the
issue and revocation of certificates of disrepair, compiling a
detailed report of the older properties in the district, clean food
investigations of shops, factories and restaurants. No sooner is
one Scheme started when it is slowed or hampered by the departure
of some of your Inspectors. At the moment there are two vacancies
and the sharing of the work amongst the remaining Inspectors is
disturbing to say the least of it.
Your Training Scheme for Sanitary Inspectors is progressing
favourably, but it will never make up for the loss in the other
Inspectorate. If the Council will adhere to choosing candidates
from Edmonton and near it, then the trainee is more likely to
remain with you for a reasonable time after qualifying.
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