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6.
In the maternity sphere a.closer working unison with the hospitals has been achieved, so that
at least for expectant mothers who need admission to hospital at any time during the gestation
period, for toxaemia of pregnancy or other medical condition, a ted is readily available.
In view of the continued need for maternity beds for East Ham mothers - over 70% of confinements
take place in hospital - the administrative machine controlling admission will have to be re-geared.
It should not be necessary for the Medical Officer of Health, at certain times of the year, literally
to be hunting around for maternity beds to satisfy the requirements of mothers whose social or environmental
circumstances demand hospital confinement. The Hospital Management Committees have been
made aware of our predicament and the Group Secretary does everything possible to meet my requests for
maternity beds in the area during periods of difficulty.
The problems of old people still continue to crop up with disturbing frequency. Our services
are extended fully to support the old folk, to achieve, in some semblance of decency and comfort, the
Independence of their own homes. But physical illness or mental deterioration easily upsets the
oft delicately poised balance between adequate comfort and squalor, and the greatest problem of all
is to obtain temporary admission to hospital for such old people, to tide them over until independent
existence can once more be resumed.
In the body of the report will be found details of the medico social services which come under
the aegis of the Health Department, and statistics and social conditions of the area. Close study
of these matters surely will lead to the conclusion that East Ham offers to its residents personal
health services of high quality as well as educational and cultural facilities of a progressive
character.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chalrr.ian and all the members of the Health
Committee who have evinced an abiding interest in the work, and the deepest concern for the well-being
of every section of the community. And to thank also the medical and health visitor staff and the
administrative and clerical staff without whose zealous services the wheels of progress would soon
become clogged.
I have the honour to be, Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J.S. COLEMAN
Medical Officer of Health and
Principal School Medical Officer.