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In addition, for the first part of the year, there were the District
Nurse-Midwives engaged by the local nursing associations, and
independent midwives practising in the District, who have now
been absorbed into the National Health Scheme.
Hospitals.
Prior to the appointed day the hospital arrangements for the
District were the same as those obtaining last year, subsequently
the general control being transferred to the North East Metropolitan
Regional Hospital Board.
In the case of the infectious disease hospitals our cases possibly
tended to be hospitalised over a wider area but there is as yet insufficient
experience of the new system to justify any definite
observations.
Our co-operation with Rush Green Hospital remained unaffected
by the transfer.
Supply of Insulin for Diabetics.
The policy outlined in previous reports was pursued up to the
4th July, 1948, after which this service became the responsibility
of the Essex Executive Council.
The number of persons supplied during the former period was
26 free issue (2 new applications) and 8 persons at half-price (2
new applications). During this period 2 patients were removed
from the register.
Health Propaganda.
The Council subscribe to the Central Council for Health Education.
It is clear that re-orientation of services renders more
imperative than ever an integration of Local Health Authority and
District Authority plans and to this end we are continuing the
efforts noted last year.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47.
No action was taken during the year under this head.
Periodically cases are brought to our notice in which action
under this section is deemed worth considering. There is no doubt
but that a substantial number of old people do develop personal
characteristics and habits of a type which do not always commend
themselves to their neighbours. There is also an impression, doubtless
fostered by the present wealth of legislation, that even a
District Council has only to be informed of any departure from the
normal to be able automatically to regularise it. Such fortunately
is not the case and unless in a very extreme case indeed I would be
most reluctant to interfere with the liberty of the individual.