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I need hardly say that it is not the duty of the Board to remove private »o«-infectious cases;
nor was the service established by law for the removal of any other than infectious cases to the
Board's hospitals; but power to remove private infectious cases (on payment) was conferred on the
Managers some years since with great public advantage. It will be noted that 1,452 removals of
non-infectious cases of persons for whom the Managers are responsible were effected during the
year. In all, the removals of non-infectious cases were 2,293. For the removal of "private" wowinfectious
cases a charge is made sufficient to cover expenses,
LOCAL AMBULANCE ARRANGEMENTS.
Kensington patients are removed to hospital by the staff at the Western Station, which adjoins
the Western Hospital, Seagrave Road, Fulham. In 1900, the Managers, on removing to their
new offices, Victoria Embankment (corner of Carmelite Street, E.C.), arranged for the reception
there of applications for the removal of the sick to hospital between the hours of 9 in the morning
and 11 aj night, on all days of the year. Between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m., the ambulance stations are
switched on to the public telephone exchanges, so that " by making use of the telephone, persons
may obtain an ambulance at any hour of the day or night." It cannot be too widely known that the
sick are admitted on application, the sole condition being the presentation of a certificate signed by
a registered medical practitioner, as evidence of the nature of the disease and the fitness of the
patient for removal. The application may be made by anyone; personally, or by letter, or by telegraph,
or by telephone. The telegraphic address is "Asylums Board London"; the telephone
numbers are 2461 " Holborn," and 7181 " Central."
METROPOLITAN STREET AMBULANCE SERVICE.
Reference was made in the report for 1906 to the appointment by the Home Secretary of a
Departmental Committee to " inquire as to the provision made for dealing with cases of accident
and sudden illness occurring in streets and public places within the Metropolis, and to report."
The first meeting of the Committee was held on 14th February, 1907; at the end of April, 1908,
their report had not been published.
CITY OF LONDON STREET ACCIDENT AMBULANCE SERVICE.
In the report for 1906 reference was made to the intention of the Corporation of the City of
London to provide means for the safe and speedy removal to hospital of the victims of street
accidents, and it is satisfactory to note that an electro-motor ambulance service controlled by the
City Police was inaugurated in May, 1907. The temporary ambulance station is located on
ground belonging to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, in King Edward Street, Newgate Street. The
permanent station will be in a block of buildings which is being added to the hospital. At present
only one ambulance—of eight-horse power—has been provided; it can carry two patients in a
recumbent position, and three others in a sitting posture. Fifty-two call boxes have been erected
in the most convenient parts of the City, and by means of these the police on duty at the spot
where the accident happens are able to communicate with head quarters, and with the ambulance
station, and thus the patient can be removed to the nearest hospital with the least possible delay
and risK—nearly all of the members of the City Police Force being efficient "first-aid" men.
Should the working of the ambulance prove the success which is anticipated, two others, it is
stated, will be established on the eastern side of the City. Between 13th May, 1907, and 13th
February, 1908, 944 cases were dealt with, 64 from buildings, and 880 from streets. The average
time taken for run, from time of call to arrival at hospital, is under 10 minutes. The Departmental
Committee recently visited the Station.