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Municipal Health Offices,
Romford Road,
West Ham, E.15.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Legislation continues to place increased responsibilities upon
yourselves and your officials. Notwithstanding the enormous
strides made in the progress and extension of your Public Medical
Services during the past decade, many further important phases
have been instituted during the past year. The chief of these
are:—
(1) The inclusion in the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme
of the following : (a) The provision of dentures for nursing
and expectant mothers ; (b) the provision of free meals for
necessitous nursing and expectant mothers ; (c) the granting
of a subsidy (under certain conditions) to midwives ;
(d) the extension of the convalescent scheme for mothers
and babies.
(2) The extension of hospital accommodation at Whipps Cross
Hospital by 500 beds, together with another operating
theatre and new receiving wards, and the building of a new
Nurses' Home and Maids' Home.
(3) The confirmation of several further large Clearance Areas
under the Housing Acts. The demolition of certain Clearance
Areas, together with the re-housing of the displaced
tenants. It is very unfortunate that owing to the lack of
suitable sites the clearance of certain Clearance Areas is
being delayed. Every reasonable effort should be made to
bring this vital matter to a successful issue while still retaining
sufficient open spaces. A large strip of land unsuitable
for houses, but in every respect suitable for factories, will
be available between the Silvertown Way and River Lee
when Tidal Basin Nos. I to IV Clearance Areas are dealt
with.
(4) The negotiations for the extension of your Colony for Mental
Defectives at South Ockendon to 500 beds, mentioned in
so many of my previous reports, have now reached the
final stage and work should be commenced during the
ensuing year.
(5) In order to comply with the provisions of the Housing Act,
1935 (see pages 86-89), extra temporary staff had to be
appointed and, in addition, extra work has been thrown
upon the permanent staff. A comprehensive report upon
this matter will be issued by me as soon as practicable.
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