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8
1—GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
THE AREA.
(i) Public Health Officers of the Authority.
During the year there were several changes amongst the members
of the staff, but not to the same extent as in the previous two
or three years. The particulars are given at the beginning of this
Report. At the time of writing the staff numbers 40, which includes
those employed in the War-Time Nurseries, but excludes the Civil
Defence personnel, Domestic Staff, etc.
(ii) Laboratory Facilities.
The scheme for Laboratory services remains the same as during
last year, viz., all routine examinations, with the exception of those
for Milk and Water, are carried out at the Oldchurch County Hospital
Laboratory, and examinations of Milk and Water are carried
out at the Counties Public Health Laboratories. It is with deep
regret that I have to record the sudden death in November of Dr.
E. V. Suckling of these latter laboratories, and I wish to take this
opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the many services
which he has rendered, and the ever willing advice which he has
given.
(iii) Nursing in the Home.
(a) Midwives.
Full advantage was again taken of the domiciliary service of
salaried midwives. During the year, owing to domestic reasons,
Midwife A. P. Shuttleworth tendered her resignation to the Council,
Midwife Shuttleworth commenced duties with this Authority at the
beginning of 1933, and, during the period in our service, her work
was very much appreciated by all with whom she was associated,
staff and mothers alike. Midwife E. Bishop has since been appointed
to fill the vacancy which was created.
As I mentioned in my last report consideration was being given
at the end of last year to the Report of the Midwives Salaries Committee,
one of the Committees appointed under the Chairmanship
of Lord Rushcliffe, and during 1944 the various recommendations
were implemented with the exception of the question of emoluments,
which is still under consideration by the Essex Council Council, the
Local Supervising Authority, as also the question of week-day, and
week-end leaves from duty. To carry out those latter proposals it
was felt that two additional midwives should be appointed to act
primarily as relief midwives.