View report page

73
Removal of the Sick to Hospital.—The duty of
removal of the sick to hospital, whether by land or water, is
now effected in a satisfactory manner. The use of public
vehicles for the removal of persons suffering with infectious
disease is unlawful. Occasionally we hear of the use of a
cab, wittingly or unwittingly, and in such cases the vehicle is
usually lost sight of before discovery of the nature of the
illness, and so does not get disinfected. This is no doubt a
danger to the public, but it is of rare occurrence, as compared
with the time before the passing of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, the 70th section of which forbids the employment
of public vehicles for the purpose in question. No case of
proved wilful breach of the law came to my knowledge
during the year.
Ambulance Arrangements.—Kensington patients are
removed by the staff at the Western Station, which adjoins
the Western Hospital at Seagrave Road, Fulham.
Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., on week-days, cases for removal
are reported at the Managers' central offices. Norfolk-house,
Norfolk-street, Strand, W.C, these being in telephonic communication
with the station. During the night, and on Sunday,
and on Christmas Day and Good Friday, application for a
patient's removal is forwatded direct to the ambulance
station. The Managers' telegraphic address is "Asylums
Board, London"; their telephone numbers are 2858 and 2859
"Gerrard."