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(b) Number of Bed Days.—The total number of bed days in the infectious
diseases hospital during 1932 was 13,741—that is to say, an average of 38 patients
were in hospital throughout the 366 days in the year.
(c) Hospital Accommodation.—You have now Barking Hospital, with fifty-eight
beds and I know that you are entertaining extending this.
As I have reported elsewhere, I hold that 1¼ beds are required in Barking per
1,000 population.
The problem of using hospital accommodation to the best advantage is a difficult
one.
The twelve cubicles you have provided have proved their worth, and I am of
opinion that, although it is certainly more costly to nurse any one particular patient
in any one particular cubicle, we are by reason of the number of cubicles you
have, able to carry out our duties on the whole more economically than we could
without them.
It is my intention, when the second portion of the Hospital is being built, to
advise you on the question of cubicle blocks.
48. VACCINATION.
Your Medical Officer has carried out no primary vaccinations or re-vaccinations.
He works in the closest co-operation with the Public Vaccination Officer.
EXAMINATION OF PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMENS, ETC.
In a previous table on page 22 I have shown the use which has been made of
the facilities provided for the examination of pathological and bacteriological
specimens.
50. CLEANSING AND DISINFECTION OF VERMINOUS PERSONS.
Last year, I suggested you might well entertain the possibility of setting up a
cleansing station. I hope this matter will have your early consideration.