View report page

It will be seen that, up to the present, the increased
demand for midwifery facilities is being met by sources other
than the local domiciliary midwifery service. The difficulties
of obtaining domestic help or the assistance of friends and
relatives has no doubt influenced women to be confined
elsewhere than in their own homes.
The demand for foster mothers to care for young children
has increased. Pew new foster mothers are available to meet
this demand and careful watch has been maintained to see that
overcrowding of foster homes in relation to staff or cubic
space is avoided.
The water supply of the Borough is adequate and constant
and apart from a few isolated cottages every house has a supply
direct from the mains. The Sanitary Inspectors continue to give
attention to food supplies and environmental conditions.
Shortage of labour and materials continues to restrict the
repair and maintenance of dwelling houses and some deterioration
is occurring. At the end of the year 36 houses on which 6
Demolition Orders have been made, were still occupied.
The quantity of unsound food mentioned in this report
refers only to such food as was disposed of under the supervision
of the Sanitary Inspectors. At the request of the N. A. A.F.I. and
the Military Authorities inspections of bulk stores have been
carried out but any food which was condemned was dealt with by
the Salvage Department of the Ministry of Food.
I think it may be said that, in regard to the general
health of the inhabitants and the volume of work carried out by
the Health Department, 1943 has been a good year. I am
particularly indebted to my staff for their loyal and generous
assistance.
I desire to express my thanks to the Chairmen and Members
of the Committees for their support and consideration and to my
colleagues in other Departments for their ready co-operation.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
a. ANDERSON.
Medical Officer of Health.
4.