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20
During the present year a further stage in ambulance
provision was completed by the introduction
of the " no-charge " scheme as and from April ist.
In the Government White Paper on a National
Health Service the reference to ambulances appears
to be incidental, describing such services as " usual
ancillary hospital services." The White Paper, however,
does postulate that in future ambulance
provision will be a health function. With this view
I am in full accord. It is obvious that such service is
more akin to the work of the Medical Officer of
Health than that of a transport superintendent or
other administrative officer.
With a change in hospital service envisaged in
the White Paper changes in the ambulance service
must arise, but notwithstanding any alteration in the
distribution of the vehicles I still feel that any
ambulance service should remain under the control
of the Medical Officer of Health.
(b) Hospital Facilities.
The Barking Hospital, the Corporation's infectious
disease hospital pre-war, continued to be
administered by the Corporation for the Ministry
of Health as an emergency hospital under the Emergency
Medical Services Scheme. By arrangement
cases under your Maternity and Child Welfare and
School Medical Service Schemes are admitted as well
as those for which the Ministry of Health are
responsible.
As in previous years financial assistance has been
afforded voluntary hospitals catering for residents
in the borough.