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15
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
THE AREA
LABORATORY FACILITIES
Bacteriological examinations for this district are carried out
at the Wandle Valley Isolation Hospital.
The following number of specimens from this borough have
been examined during the year:—
Swabs for diphtheria 162
Sputa for tubercle 19
Total181
EMERGENCY PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY, EPSOM
This service has proved of the greatest use, particularly in
regard to the control of infection in the Day Nurseries and Woodlands
Maternity Home. The results of specimens taken to the
laboratory by car have been available the following morning, and
the advice and assistance of the staff have been most helpful.
AMBULANCES
The Ambulance service for the district is quite adequate at
present, and the following arrangements have been made: —
For General and Accident Cases.—Two ambulances are
provided by the Council for the removal of general and accident
cases. The number of cases removed up to 4.7.48 was 1,133
(2,397), of which 246 (454) were accident cases and 887 (1,943)
private removals, including 278 (463) maternity cases. There
were 13 (41) calls when the ambulance was not required on
arrival. Contrary to expectations, the removals during the
second half of the year have only increased by 12 per cent. over
the first half.
For Infectious Disease Cases.—The Wandle Valley Joint
Hospital Board has provided two motor ambulances for the
removal of cases of infectious disease to the Isolation Hospital,