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at Wilnett Lodge, Chadwell Heath, continued to be of considerable value
in freeing beds at the Maternity Hospital for the reception of an increased
number of patients.
Corresponding with the work of the Maternity Hospital, attendances
at both Ante-Natal Clinics and at the Post-Natal Clinic have continued
at a busy level.
The work of the infant welfare centres showed a slight decrease.
Altogether 49,444 attendances were made as compared with 49,690 in 1947.
The number of children on the welfare centre rolls decreased from 4,146
in 1947 to 3,712 in 1948. This was mainly attributable to the fact that
mothers now tend to take advantage of the new facilities under the
National Health Service Act, 1946, whereby the services of their family
doctor are now available free of charge. Home visiting by Health Visitors
remained somewhat curtailed owing to shortage of staff. It has been
exceedingly difficult to fill vacancies and impossible to reach the full
establishment. Some easement of the position was afforded by the appointment
of 5 Clinic Nurses, but their functions are limited, as they cannot
undertake all duties normally performed by qualified Health Visitors.
The scheme for the supply of Domestic Helps has steadily progressed
and is fulfilling a long felt urgent need. At the end of the year 108 part
time Domestic Helps were employed as compared with 45 twelve months
previously. Domestic Help was provided in 651 cases as against 341 cases
during 1947.
During the year the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948,
became operative. This welcome measure, details of which are given on
page 56, gave supervisory powers to the Local Health Authority in regard
to private nurseries and to persons who undertake for reward the care of
children under 5 years of age.
The School Medical Scrvice is now catering for a school population
of 20,267, an increase of 1,265 on the previous year. The number of
routine medical inspections, re-inspections and special examinations conducted
are indicated in the School Medical Section of the Report.
Attendances at the various Specialist Clinics were again increased. The
position regarding the operative treatment of tonsils and adenoids remains
unsatisfactory. Owing to lack of adequate hospital facilities the waiting
lists are large, and undue delay in securing treatment results. So far as
is possible priority of treatment is secured for children urgently in need
of operation. Every possible endeavour has been made to ameliorate the
position, which is not peculiar to Ilford, as enquiry reveals a similar
situation obtaining throughout the County. It also appears that most of
the hospitals in London have similar over-burdened waiting lists.
The urgent local need for increased provision of day and residential
school accommodation for educationally subnormal pupils and institutional
facilities for ineducable children still exists. The Special classes attached
to Newbury Park School are fulfilling a most important function and
producing very satisfactory results. With the permission of the Borough
Council, the Local Education Authority approved the establishment of a
Child Guidance Clinic accommodated in Loxford Hall. This came into
operation on January 1st, 1949. It was fortunately possible to secure the
services of Dr. A. H. G. Burton as the Clinic Psychiatrist.
The rapid expansion of the Borough necessitates the provision of
additional clinic facilities. Although sites for Health Centres have previously
been agreed with the County Council, building operations are still held in
abeyance. The County Council have, however, obtained the necessary
sanction to the erection of a Combined Treatment Centre on the Grange
Hill Estate. This will serve the needs of Estate families living in the
three contiguous Health Areas—Forest, Dagenham and Ilford. While the
maintenance of the premises, non-professional staffing and general