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GENERAL PUBLIC HEALTH
SHORTAGE OF HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION
It la now definite that the rebuilding and extension of Barking Hospital will
commence in 1963 and it is hoped that this will reduce the serious shortage of
beds in the II ford and Barking district. The site of the present hospital, an area of
21 acres, is Ideally situated.
The principal new buildings will be a block of seven floors accommodating a
new out-patients' department, X-ray department, physiotherapy, operating theatre and
other departments to serve the wards on the four upper floors, as well as existing
wards.
In addition there will be a block of three floors, providing a new maternity
unit of 42 beds, linked to the existing maternity department, and including a special
unit for premature babies and others needing special care as regards temperature,
humidity, etc.
A special feature of the design of the new ward will be its 'L' shape with the
administration unit (or nurses' station) placed centrally on each floor with a large
amount of day space for the patients to walk around. On each floor there will be
four single-bedded wards and four six-bedded wards.
The above lay-out has become so popular in hospital rebuilding circles that
it has become known unofficially as the "Barking Hospital Ward Plan"!
An interesting feature of the new hospital will be the provision of the Central
Sterile Supplies Department which will supply sterile surgical requisites to the
entire II ford and Barking group of hospitals.
Lastly, but most important, it is intended to make arrangements to make each
patient very welcome; each department will have its own pleasant and comfortable
waiting area with waiting reduced to a minimum and cups of tea available, if required.
It will indeed be a pleasure to be a patient in the Barking Hospital,
HEALTH EDUCATION