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12
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 of the department. but not to any very great extent.
One member, viz., an Additional Sanitary Inspector resumed duties
after an absence of 5½ years on Military Service. The particulars
of the staff are given at the beginning of this report. At the time
of writing the staff numbers 39, which includes those employed
at the Day Nurseries, but excludes 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, which are
situated in Romford. These arrangements are adequate and satisfactory—and
no complaints were received, regarding the services
rendered.
•
During the year, the Essex County Council extended their
facilities to include examinations for Male Fertility. When required
the necessary outfits are sent to the General Practitioners in the
area.
Advantage was again taken of the free issue of Alum Precipitated
Toxoid from the Emergency Laboratory at St. Margaret's
Hospital, Epping, for the purpose of Diphtheria Immunisation.
(iii) Nursing in the Home.
(a) Midwives.
By acquiring the services of two Relief Midwives, and making
an establishment of eight, we were able, during the year, to bring
into operation the complete recommendations of the Rushcliffe Committee
in regard to the "off" duty periods of the Midwives, so that
in three weeks out of every four, each Midwife is given two consecutive
nights and the intervening day "off" duty a week, and
in the fourth week, is given a long week-end of 60 hours' consecutive
free time. The other recommendations of the above Committee
were implemented in 1944.
In addition to the Council Midwives, there is one Midwife
in independent practice in the district, and also five District Nurse
Midwives. Two Midwives, resident outside the Borough, undertook
cases in the district during the year.