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10
With regard to (b), where do Ilford residents go when severely ill, the
figures must be considered with some circumspection, for of the 714 who died
in hospitals of all descriptions, many died in those, such as St. George's at
Hornchurch, and Langthorne, which cater for the chronic sick, and others in
specialist institutions such as isolation and mental hospitals. It would be
well to confine our attention to general hospitals of teaching standard, and
those equivalent to the old voluntary hospital and of similar standing to
King George Hospital, in the Greater London Area.
422 Ilford residents died in such hospitals, of whom 192 were in King
George Hospital (45-5 per cent.), 86 in Oldchurch (20.4 per cent.), and 65
(15-4 per cent.) in the London Hospital. The importance of the London
Hospital to Ilford residents is further stressed by the fact that of the 75 that
died in general teaching hospitals, 65 (86.7 per cent.) were in the London.
The position with respect to provision of services for the aged and chronic
sick is little changed. A welfare officer has been appointed to deal with these
problems, and whilst she herself can provide no facilities, in the few months
she has been with us she has done invaluable work in the co-ordination of
other services and by bringing pressure to bear on some of the many different
individuals involved in this work, a few of whom may not realise the urgency
of the need.
For many years there has been some dissatisfaction with the public
mortuary at Buckingham Road Cemetery. This year the building has been
reconstructed and now conforms with modern standards. The Pathologist,
who has a difficult and unpleasant job to do, can work in lighter and more
hygienic surroundings, there is refrigerating accommodation, and also, most
important, a suitable but simple waiting room and chapel, for relatives who
have to view bodies under what may be the most distressing circumstances.
It is anticipated that Dagenham, and perhaps Barking, will also wish to make
use of the facilities of this mortuary.
It will be noted that the number of sanitary inspections has increased
by a quarter. There was also a large increase in the number of complaints
received, but this was entirely due to two factors; firstly, the implementation
of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, and secondly, because of a more
effective method of notification of the absence or damage of dust-bins.
School Health Service.
The most important matter to note in the past year has been the complete
transfer of our specialist services (excepting the Child Guidance Clinic) to the
Regional Hospital Board, who hitherto have only been responsible for the
supply of the specialist in person. We naturally view this transfer with
some measure of regret, and the Excepted Districts were not in any way
consulted over the matter. It is anticipated that clinics will be continued
on local authority premises and that we should still supply nursing and
clerical assistance, for which the Board will compensate the County Council.
Hitherto the transfer has been completed with most friendly co-operation at
local level, and is working smoothly. However, neither the Hospital Management
Committees nor the Health Area Administrations are their own masters
in this matter, and it must be confessed that I view the future with some
foreboding. This transfer also affects our physiotherapist, Mrs. King, and
will affect the as yet unappointed and urgently required orthoptist, whose
services we have been requesting for years, and whose appointment will now
probably be even further postponed.
The dental position at one time seemed to be on the point of improving
but I regret to state that because of resignations we may soon find ourselves
in as bad a position as ever.