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Accommodation is also provided at the Isolation Hospitals at
Thurrock, Ilford, Chingford and Colchester, and at St. Margaret's,
Epping (Social Welfare Institution), for patients suffering from
the intermediate and later stages of the disease not requiring any
active treatment.
Supply of Insulin for Diabetics.
The policy outlined in previous reports has been pursued. The
number of persons supplied during the year was 27 free issue (9
new applications) and 7 persons at half-price (one new application).
During the year 3 patients were removed from the register.
Foot Clinics.
This matter engaged the earnest attention of the Council for a
considerable period and it was felt that a demonstrable public need
for facilities of this kind existed. Upon approach being made to the
County (which would in any event become the responsible Authority
under the National Health Service Act, 1946), one weekly clinic
was finally commenced in the District. Unfortunately, however,
staffing difficulties both delayed its commencement and inhibited
its subsequent progress.
The single clinic noted, when re-started, will at any rate be an
acceptance of the fact that the need for a service of this kind
exists, but in an area such as ours it is very far from representing
a satisfactory scheme.
The various main centres of population in the District should
each be afforded the opportunity of showing whether or not local
arrangements are justifiable. I have little doubt that clinics of
this kind would be appreciated. It is earnestly to be hoped, therefore,
that quite apart from the local council being divested of
responsibility, the near future will see a reasonably comprehensive
scheme both planned and practised.
National Health Service Act, 1946.
As you are aware, every effort has been made to secure
independent recognition of Hornchurch as a Health Service area;
but unfortunately without success. A lengthy examination of the
circumstances and our claims is not here opportune and would not
in any event result in a feeling of much satisfaction.
I firmly believe that the divorcement of what might be regarded
as purely sanitary functions from those associated with a more
personal health service—as for example under the Act—is not in
the best interests of the community, since it represents a segmentation
of what might otherwise be a comprehensive and efficient
whole.
Nevertheless recent legislation has permitted the continued
separation of strictly sanitary from other services, and although one
may disagree with the principle of so doing, yet if it is still held