Within or nearby locality 7 are several Health Centres or Clinics which are open six days a week for the benefit of local people. The first that I visited ( on June 12th placement ) was the Julia Engwell clinic on Woodward Road ( Parsloes Ward ) : and in ' Village ' is the Ford Road clinic - much used also by residents of 'River' & 'Goresbrook' . Southerly Cambell residents may find it easier to reach the Thames View health centre in Bastable avenue. People in Fanshawe are likely to avail themselves of health services at Five Elms Health Centre in adjacent ' Valence ' , and a recent initiative has been the opening this year of Fanshawe Diagnostic Centre in Halbutt Street. Locality 7 has the second highest registration rate for cervical cancer and male lung cancer , and the highest rate of breast cancer of any area provided for by the Barking & Havering Health Authority. A reduction in the rate of occurrence of strokes , coronary heart disease , obesity and suicides is also prioritised - in accordance with 'Health of The Nation' targets. Early diagnosis of pathological conditions can help greatly towards more effective treatments and better prognoses for many.

                           Of importance too (to people with mental health problems and their carers) is the Porters Avenue resource and day centre adjacent to the boundary of Parsloes with Manor ward : and Morland Road day hospital in ' River ' is another site also benefitting increasingly through the Dagenham community mental health team. For retired residents of the Borough the 'Old Peoples Welfare Association' organises a network of luncheon and leisure centres where , for as little as £1.50 a day , a two course hot meal can be had five days a week. Often such centres are located at community halls that have a variety of uses by other groups during different times and days of the week. Behind Fanshawe community hall there is being built for 1997 a new complex of 33 adjacent homes suitable for older residents in need of sheltered accomodation and having a wide range of on site support services.

                           Nowadays, with the availability of high volume audio taken so much for granted , it is good to know that local residents are able to telephone for the service of Noise Control Officers who run night-time noise patrols throughout the borough seven nights a week. Where polite persuasion fails to alleviate the misery caused by noisy neighbours - legal enforcement action or use of warrants to seize stereos and other equipment may be needed. Updates on pollution control ( including noise and other nuisance ) can be had by calling the Directorate of Housing & Health , at 2 Stour Road . Complaints regarding food quality or contamination - food hygiene - (e.g. sub-standard restaurants) should also be made to the same address or by phone on 0181 252 8038. Refuse collection, street cleaning and materials recycling facilities are organised through the borough 'Development and Technical Services. ' . Glass bottle, newspaper and drinks cans recycling facilities have been placed at convenient intervals throughout wards of the Becontree estate and neighbouring areas, prominently advertising the charitable organisations who will benefit from the raised revenue. In general the state of cleanliness of streets in the locality appears quite good; although there are many stretches of coloured spray-gun paint graffitti embellished freely on surfaces in most wards. Whilst this is indicative of the mentality of local youth culture, it does not pose a direct threat to health and safety except in so far as there is risk of accidental injury to the artists if they fall from high bridges or other structures during their painting. (cf. accident statistics of the Locality, p2 above)