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7
With the sanction of the Ministry of Health, an Assistant
Medical Officer to help mainly with Maternity and Child
Welfare work was appointed on the 13th September, 1926.
This appointment has enabled the Council to dispense with the
part-time services of Dr. Tivy at Silvertown.
An Antenatal Clinic has been started and additional sessions
established in connection with the Child Welfare at the
Silvertown Centre. A new Maternity and Child Welfare
Centre has been opened in West Ham Lane, where both antenatal
and post-natal Clinics are in operation. The work of the
Health Visitors has been re-organised and a definite arrangement
has been come to with the Plaistow Maternity Charity
to prevent over-lapping and to more closely co-ordinate their
work with this Department.
A Sanatorium for children suffering from pulmonary
Tuberculosis, with accommodation for 40 cases, is now being
built on the Council's site at Langdon Hills, and should be
opened for the reception of patients within a few months.
This long overdue Institution should prove of inestimable value
to the tuberculous children of the Borough.
Tt is lamentable that it has so far been found impracticable
to abate the over-crowding— often of a flagrant nature— which
continues to be the one great bane prevalent in the Borough,
and acts as a deterrent to many of the schemes advanced to
promote the public weal. Tt is not only impracticable to live
hygienic lives in such over-crowded houses, but it is extremely
difficult effectively to treat illness when it arises in such
homes.
As for many other districts, the year 1926 has been sadly
Productive of much distress in West Ham. In spite of this,
I am able to record a favourable report in respect to the Public
Health for the year as a whole, though for the last few
months the figures relating to mortality statistics have shown
a definite upward tendency. Tt is to he hoped that this is not
a portent for the year 1927.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant.
F. GARLAND COLLINS.