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6
Maternity and Child Welfare.
The County Council which is the Authority has maintained
Clinics at the following centres:—
(i) Berther Road.
(ii) Hazel Close, Elm Park.
(iii) Malvern Road.
(iv) Athelstan Road, Harold Wood.
(v) Rainham First-Aid Post.
(vi) Waldegrave Gardens, Upminster.
Hospital Services.
During the year 132 persons notified to be suffering from infectious
diseases and 16 observation cases needing hospital treatment
were admitted to the Joint Isolation Hospital at Rush Green.
The average weekly number of patients from this District in
the Isolation Hospital was 13.
Supply of Insulin for Diabetics.
Reference was made in last year's report to Circular 2734
dated 4th January, 1943, in which the Minister of Health drew
the attention of local authorities to the desirability of providing
insulin for certain classes of persons for whom a public provision
is necessary. These include old age pensioners, women engaged in
household duties, and other dependants who are not eligible for
medical benefit under the national health insurance acts.
In compliance with this letter the Council have exercised the
power given to them by consent or approval of the Ministry under
section 177 of the Public Health Act, 1936, to supply insulin for
persons suffering from diabetes among the poorer inhabitants of
the District. During the year 28 women and 1 youth under insurable
age were supplied with this remedy, and of these 24 received
free supplies and 5 at reduced cost in accordance with the Council's
scale. The majority of these persons were elderly women, 12 being
widows or married women in receipt of old age pensions. Every
person applying for a grant was required to furnish a medical prescription
stating the variety and amount of insulin to be used.
During the year a total of 214,600 units of insulin was supplied
under the Council scheme, this being made up of 47,000 Soluble,
62,400 Zinc Protamine, and 105,200 units of Globin Insulin.
Water.
The water supply of the area and of its several parts has been
satisfactory both in quality and in quantity.