View report page

48
NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE ACT (PART III) SERVICES
The Local Health Authority functions under the National
Health Service Act are administered by the Walthamstow Health Area
Sub-Committee on behalf of the County Health Committee (Essex
County Council). Details are given in statistical form on pages
59 to 76.
Section 21 HEALTH CENTRES
Reservation of Sites for Health Service Purposes
Details have been given in previous reports of the six
sites that have been reserved and defined under the County
Development Plan as being required for health service purposes.
During the year the Pretoria Avenue site was transferred to the
Education Committee for the erection of a new three-form entry
junior school. It is hoped that an alternative site will become
available in the vicinity when the old Pretoria Avenue school is
demolished.
General Dental Service
The work of the General Dental Service was further reduced
during 1960 owing to the contraction of the dental staff. The
total of sessions available per week for the treatment of the
non-priority groups now amounts to the equivalent of less than
one full-time surgeon. Mention is made of this matter because
there appears to be an impression among the public that this
service is larger than it really is.
Section 23 MIDWIFERY
During the year 24 pupil midwives from Thorpe Coombe
Maternity Hospital undertook their district midwifery training
at the Nurses' Homes, and all passed the examination.
An additional midwife was appointed in November, and her
services have been greatly appreciated. However, the advantage
was largely offset by an increase in the number of home
confinements from 399 to 447, especially since the increase has
been maintained during the first six months of 1961.
Arrangements were made for medical students from Thorpe
Coombe Maternity Hospital to attend cases on the district with
a midwife, and witness deliveries. Consent was obtained in
each case from the patient and family doctor concerned.
Non medical supervision was carried out by the
Superintendent of the Nurses' Training Home.