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8
enabled the Council to provide directly, midwifery and maternity
nursing services in the homes. Particulars regarding this provision
are given later in the Report.
The arrangement made by the Council with the Committee
of the East Ham Memorial Hospital for the provision of maternity
accommodation at the Hospital has progressed to the extent that
plans were submitted and subsequently approved by the Minister
of Health. The extensions at the Hospital also include a new
Children's Ward. These additions will prove of material benefit
to mothers and children of the district.
The erection of the new Public Health Offices and Central
Clinic mentioned in previous Reports was commenced in the latter
part of the year, and it is anticipated that such will be completed
in ,1938.
In accordance with the circular issued by the Ministry of
Health and Board of Education, initiating the scheme of propaganda
outlined by the Central Council for Health Education, the
Authority arranged for the general display of posters on health
topics, and the distribution of leaflets, etc., at all Schools and
Clinics in the Borough; in addition, during the period of the campaign,
October, 1937, to February, 1938, numerous lectures
were given to various organisations, and every effort was made
to stimulate interest in the Council's public health activities.
A matter of outstanding interest was the clearance of caravan
areas. The necessary investigations involved numerous visits,
the collection of a vast amount of data, statutory enquiries by the
Ministry of Health, and, in some instances, proceedings in Court,
although the latter were obviated as far as possible.
Mr. J. E. Austin and the sanitary inspectorate are to be
congratulated on the satisfactory solution of a difficult problem.
The transfer of patients suffering from mental illness from
institutions in various parts of the country to Runwell Hospital
was proceeded with in gradual stages as the buildings became
available for use. Details concerning the disposition of patients
will be found in the appropriate section of the Report.