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9
medical staff it is necessary either to curtail existing medical
services or to endeavour to carry on with such temporary part-time
medical assistance as may be available; but the engagement of
temporary part-time assistance is unsatisfactory and uneconomic.
For these reasons consideration should be given to the advisability
of expediting the procedure in filling vacancies which may arise
in the permanent medical staff of the department.
On pages 71 to 73 of this report will be found observations on
the shortage of dental surgeons and the disastrous effect such
shortage is having on the dental welfare and health of that section
of the community which should enjoy priority in dental treatment
—expectant and nursing mothers, pre-school and school children.
In spite of steps taken by H.M. Government during recent
years to increase the remuneration and conditions of service of
nurses and midwives, there is still an acute shortage of health
visitors and midwives which makes it not only impossible to enlarge
the scope of municipal services, but unduly difficult to carry on
without the curtailment of existing services.
In addition to the medical Supervisor of Midwives (Dr. Mary
Gilchrist), the Health Authority has approved the appointment
as non-medical Supervisor of Midwives of Miss E. M. Wearn,
S.R.N., S.C.M., who, in addition to being a Queen's Nurse, holds
the Health Visitors' Certificate and is an Approved Teacher of
Midwifery. Miss Wearn, in her capacity as Matron, Essex County
Training Home, Beachcroft Road, has been closely associated with
the Council's domiciliary service during her tenure of office, and
her designation as non-medical Supervisor of Midwives is welcomed.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,