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Barking has hitherto been very well served by the hospital
in London and the other hospitals within the metropolitan area,
so well as by hospitals in the extra metropolitan area, but with the
great increase in population in the Gale Street area, there is very
real need for further hospital accommodation.
This further accommodation we hope will be provided by the
King George Hospital, but if it is to be provided at the King George
Hospital, the scheme which has been envisioned by those, who
realise the necessity, must become an accomplished fact. There
must be a unit of 400 to 500 beds, and one way or another, the
money must be provided.
There is no difficulty in getting cases into voluntary hospitals,
apart from that which generally obtains in London and the extra
metropolitan districts, owing to the general lack of accommodation.
We are always very happy to co-ordinate our work with that
of voluntary hospitals, where they have a scheme for following up
their patients. We know that if they are to do this, it is almost
essential it should be done by correspondence, whereas we can
achieve a personal touch by our health visitors undertaking this
work.
Various hospitals, particularly the Hospital for Sick Children,
Great Ormond Street, have availed themselves of our help.
17. MATERNITY AND NURSING HOMES.
Up to December, 1930, there were r.o maternity or nursing
homes in Barking, excepting of course the Maternity Ward maintained
by the Council. Since the end of the year, however, one
small Home has been established, and I recommend you to apply
for powers to be the supervising authority for these Homes.