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75
It will be seen that the number of beds available on a basis of 144
square feet per bed is 75, while the usual provision is at the rate of
one bed per 1,000 population, which would mean a total of 125 beds.
In practice extra beds have to be used in each ward as occasion
arises.
The Hospital is well situated, designed, constructed and equipped,
and no buildings of a temporary nature are used except in the
Tuberculosis section, which consists of a permanent Pavilion of 14
beds and 6 single-bed wooden huts. The 20 Tuberculosis beds are
additional to the 75 Infectious Disease beds and are utilised by the
Essex County Council by agreement with your Council.
The Tuberculosis section is under the clinical charge of a Tuberculosis
Officer of the County Council. Female non-pulmonary cases
were taken up to the 3rd July, 1930, and after that date advanced
female cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
The Staff consists of a Resident Medical Officer, Matron, 6 Sisters,
(State Registered and Fever trained), 7 Staff Nurses (Fever trained),
and 16 Probationers; Storekeeper, Cook, 17 Maids, 4 Laundresses,
1 Needlewoman, 4 Charwomen and 8 male outdoor staff.
The Hospital is recognised for Fever training and a two-year
course of lectures and practical work is carried out under the Resident
Medical Officer, Matron and Sister-Tutor.
Improvements, etc.—No enlargement of accommodation has
teen effected during the last five years, but the addition of a new
wing to the Administrative Block was commenced in April, 1931.
The estimated cost is £9,669, which will provide 24 extra bedrooms
and other much-needed Staff accommodation.
The completion of the new wing will liberate two small wards
now used for Staff bedrooms and so provide 10 additional beds.
Your Council have also approved a proposal to erect a 12-bed cubicle
block as soon as the work now in hand is completed, and this will
be a valuable addition to the present excellent Cubicle Block, which
is, however, insufficient for present-day needs.
During 1930 many improvements were effected, including the
following:—Repainting "B" Block, installation of gas supply in
place of the former production of "Dowsing" gas at the Hospital,
installation of gas cookers, fires and automatic hot-water boilers in
each ward.
Quinquennial Review.—The following tables review (a) the
Admissions, Discharges and Deaths; (b) Average number of patients
in Hospital by months; (c) Monthly admission of Diphtheria and
(d) Scarlet Fever.