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8
1.—GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
THE AREA.
(i) Public Health Officers of the Authority.
For particulars of these, see the list at the beginning of this
Report.
(ii) Laboratory Facilities.
The Emergency Laboratory Service, organised at the commencement
of the War by the Medical Research Council, and mentioned
in my Report of last year, continued in operation throughout the
year, but transferred from the Brentwood School, where it had
established itself, to St. Andrew's Hospital at Billericay. As the
intention of this laboratory was to augment existing facilities and
not to interfere with the operation of normal peacetime services, it
was not found necessary during 1940 to avail ourselves of it to any
large extent. Mention, however, is made later in this Report,
under the Section dealing with Infectious Diseases, of the services
which we did obtain.
(iii) Nursing in the Home.
(a) Midwives.
Our scheme for a domiciliary service of salaried midwives continued
as before, and maintained its popularity.
During the year, Midwife D. Axton resigned her duties, and the
vacancy was filled by the appointment of Midwife C. M. Kerr. It
was felt that, with the recent growth of the District in the Collier
Row Area it would be better if a Midwife were actually in residence
in this comparatively new area, so advantage was taken at the time
of the new appointment to establish Midwife Kerr in this part of the
town.
In addition to the 5 Council Midwives, there are 4 Midwives in
independent practice in the District, and, also, 4 District Nurse
Midwives. Eight Midwives, resident outside the Borough, also
undertook cases in the District during the year.
(iv) Hospitals : Public and Voluntary.
(a) Infectious Diseases.
The Infectious Diseases' Hospital at Rush Green, under the
jurisdiction of the Romford Joint Hospital Board, has continued to
serve this District as before, and, at the same time, has functioned
as an la Hospital under the Emergency Medical Services Scheme of
the Ministry of Health,