View report page

18
before. Although the responsibility now rests with the County
Council there is little doubt but that our interest will not cease on
that account. Our members will certainly advocate the provision
and extension of this service to all parts of our area.
Laboratory Facilities.
The Council Laboratory, established by the Essex County
Council at Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, has continued to serve
the needs of the District and is available for any medical practitioners
who desire to have bacteriological reports on the specimens
which they send.
On exceptional matters recourse is had to the Public Health
Laboratory at Colindale.
Ambulance Service.
The ambulance station was transferred from Harrow Lodge to
Billet Lane, Hornchurch, at the beginning of the year and subsequently
as from the appointed day under the National Health
Act. 1946, came under the complete control of the Local Health
Authority.
Nursing in the Home.
The local nursing organisations, viz. the Hornchurch Nursing
Association; the Eainham, Wennington and South Hornchurch
Nursing Association; and the Upminster and Cranham District
Nursing Association, whilst functioning independently until the
appointed day under the National Health Service Act, 1946, subsequently
became merged into the County's general scheme.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
The Essex County Council maintained clinics at the following
centres throughout the year:—
(i) Westland Avenue, Hornchurch.
(ii) Abbs Cross Lane, Hornchurch (serving the Elm Park
Estate).
(iii) Malvern Eoad, Hornchurch.
(iv) Athelstan Eoad, Harold Wood.
(v) Upminster Eoad, Eainham.
(vi) Station Eoad, Upminster.
Nursing and Maternity Homes.
There are 5 registered Nursing and Maternity Homes in the
District.
Midwives.
There are 10 midwives practising in the District who were
appointed by the Essex County Council, and are available to act
in the capacity of midwife, and of maternity nurse, under the supervision
of a registered medical practitioner.