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expressed the view that Barking children should not be admitted to the
Ilford Isolation Hospital for this operation.
The question of tonsillectomy is a most difficult one. It
is my personal view that many children have their tonsils removed
unnecessarily, and this opinion is confirmed by the fact that when
children placed on the waiting list come up for review it is often found
that their names can be removed since the operation is no longer
required. In so far as a long waiting list stops a child having an unnecessary
operation, I am in favour of it and would not like to see more
beds made available. Obviously where a case is urgent, priority is
needed and is in fact given, although some delay does occur especially
with older children admitted to "adult" beds.
The question of poliomyelitis and tonsillectomy is even more
difficult. In theory, the arrangement whereby children undergoing
tonsillectomy are admitted to a block of an infectious diseases hospital
is undesirable. It can be argued, however, that in a properly designed
and run hospital the risks of cross infection are negligible, whilst in
a general hospital where special precautions are not taken cross infection
is fr quent. It is of interest to note that a Barking child who had
his tonsils moved in a general hospital during 1953 developed poliomyelitis
sc e fourteen days later, resulting in a dangerous bulbar
paralysis from which, fortunately, he recovered.
Orthopaedic Clinic
Mr. L. Gillis, M.B.E., F.R.C.S., continues as the Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon and attends the Manor Clinic once per fortnight:
Cases treated were:—
(a) In hospital 4
(b) In clinics or out-patient departments 581
The Education Committee has been pressing for the transfer of
this clinic from the Manor School in view of the fact that it occupies
classroom accommodation badly needed for educational purposes.
The Hospital Management Committee has been unable to promise
early action owing to lack of money for the proposed adaption of an
empty ward at Barking Hospital.
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