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72
This hospital question is a most important and difficult one. We
pay an enormous sum for hospital provision, something over 3d. in the
pound in Islington (over £20;000 per annum), and yet when we require
it most it is not available. I cannot help saying that with this rate of
3d. we could erect and manage splendid institutions of our own. But
unfortunately we cannot "come out" of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board, and Islington, as part of the metropolitan area, is bound to pay
its share of its debts. It would be futile, therefore, to suggest that the
Vestry should build hospitals, because ratepayers would never consent
to pay for two institutions.
I would still press on the Vestry to urge the Metropolitan Asylums
Board to remove no cases from our district when an epidemic prevails
and when there is a rush for hospital isolation, except through and on
the request of the Public Health Department. It could then be arranged
that only the most urgent cases should be removed when beds became
vacant. It would also be known instantly when a case was isolated,
and the Public Health Department would be able to proceed at once
with the disinfection of the house.
I trust this matter will be fully considered, and that if in the future
an epidemic should assume the proportions of the one under considertion,
Islington shall be in a more satisfactory position to cope with it,