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An additional Ambulance Station was opened at S'ilvertown
in June. The factory owners of the district have agreed, by
arrangement, to defray a portion of the upkeep of this service.
The work of the Maternity and Child Welfare Department has
increased greatly, and a number of fresh appointments have had
to be made, viz., six additional Health Visitors, a Dental Nurse,
a full-time Dental Surgeon, and a Junior Assistant Medical
Officer. In addition to the Clinic opened in October, 1930, two
further Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics were opened in May,
1931, viz., at Forest Gate and at Maybury Road. The opening
ceremony at the former was performed by Councillor Mrs. M. E.
Thomas, and at the latter by Councillor Mrs. Gregory. The duties
connected with the Children Act transferred to this Department
by the Local Government Act, 1929, have proved to be greater
and more exacting than was anticipated.
The work under the Local Government Act, 1929, continues.
Each of the Poor Law Institutions transferred under that Act is
overcrowded, and there is a shortage of beds, more especially
for chronic sick cases. This matter, which is at present receiving
the attention of the Council, is very involved, owing to the existing
agreements between this Council and the County of Essex
and the County Borough of East Ham, and is intimately bound
up in the future programmes of each of these authorities.
A survey of the whole of the work carried on by my Department
was made during the year by Officers from the Ministry of
Health. I should like to record here my appreciation of the courteous
and considerate manner in which the investigation was conducted,
and, further, to record my appreciation also of the great
help rendered to me from time to time by the officials from the
Ministry of Health.
In connection with the Mental Treatment Act, a Psychological
Clinic to deal with cases of early mental aberration will be opened
in the Borough shortly.
The vital statistics for the year 1931 are again favourable, in
spite of adverse economic and social conditions which affect this
Borough so intimately.
Mr. Charles Smith, Sanitary Inspector, retired under the
Superannuation Act after many years' loyal service in the Borough,
and Mr. H. G. Avril was appointed in his place.
I am grateful to all members of my Staff who have contributed
their share to the work of the Department.
Your obedient Servant,
Municipal Health Offices,
Romford Road,
Stratford.
July, 1932.