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15
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
THE AREA.
Hospitals provided or subsidised by the Local Authority or by
the County Council.
a. (1) Fever.
Rush Green Isolation Hospital maintained by the Romford
Joint Hospital Board which consists of representatives from
the Urban District Councils of Dagenham, Hornchurch and
Romford and the Rural District Council of Romford.
Ordinarily, cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Enteric
Fever are admitted. The 52 beds at the hospital are now
insufficient for the population of this combined district. During
a school outbreak of diphtheria in June, cases had to be
admitted to the hospital of a neighbouring authority. The
autumnal increased prevalence of both scarlet fever and diphtheria
demonstrated the insufficiency of accommodation with
the result that, of the scarlet fever cases occurring from the
middle of October to the end of the year over half had to be
nursed at home; and the one notified case of enteric fever was
not admitted.
In spite of the shortage, however, it was possible to get all
cases of diphtheria admitted and also all cases of scarlet fever
manifesting any of the more serious complications.
Steps are being taken which it is hoped will result in a
material extension to the existing premises.
(2, Smallpox.
The Romford Joint Hospital Board has an arrangement with
the West Ham Corporation for the reception of smallpox cases,
Orsett Smallpox Hospital is available for sporadic cases, but
in the event of a large number occurring, Dagenham Hospital
would be available for their admission.
b. (1) Tuberculosis.
The Essex County Council, the local authority dealing with
tuberculosis, provides beds for all forms of this disease in various
sanatoria and hospitals.