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17
SECTION B.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
THE AREA.
Staff.
Pending the filling of vacancies, we were understaffed (this
to a very serious extent) for a considerable proportion of the period
of this report.
Fortunately the commencement of 1948 saw a full establishment
again, but in a complex area such as ours and in which the Sanitary
Inspector: population ratio is not high, any staff depletion necessarily
produces a leeway of work requiring a considerable time to
overtake even though further staff changes did not from time to
time occur.
Laboratory Facilities.
The County Laboratory, established by the Essex County
Council at Oldchurch County Hospital, Romford, has continued to
serve the needs of the District and is available for any medical
practitioners who desire to have bacteriological report on the specimens
which they send.
Ambulance Service.
There is no change in the ambulance service for the civilian
population described in last year's report, which includes the mutual
assistance scheme with neighbouring authorities. The ambulance
which is stationed at Harrow Lodge Depot, is under the supervision
of the Surveyor.
Nursing in the Home.
The three nursing associations, viz.: the Hornchurch Nursing
Association; the Rainham, Wennington and South Hornchurch
Nursing Association; and the Upminster and Cranham District
Nursing Association, have continued their beneficent work.
I note below certain details of the work of these local Nursing
Associations.
The Hornchurch Nursing Association maintained two private
nurses during the year, and the total number of visits paid was
6,343.
The Rainham, Wennington and South Hornchurch Nursing
Association maintained three private nurses during the year, the
total number of visits paid being 5,613 (220 cases).