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Public Assistance Hospitals.—Patients from this area are
admitted to the Public Assistance Hospitals at Epsom, Redhill and
Kingston.
Maternity Hospital Accommodation.—The Council has an
arrangement with the Purley Memorial Hospital whereby the Council
has the call on three beds. If accommodation permits, additional
cases can be admitted. While under this scheme 87 cases were confined
at this Hospital during the year 1936, an additional 17 cases were
admitted to Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London.
A number of maternity cases from this area are confined at the
Public Assistance Hospital at Epsom. Reference is made in the section
on Maternity and Child Welfare to the possibility of extending this
accommodation.
BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK.
The bacteriological work in connection with this District was carried
out by the Medical Superintendent at the Wandle Valley Joint Isolation
Hospital until the end of June, 1936. Since then her work has been
limited to the examination of sputa for tubercle and swabs for Diphtheria,
the following number of specimens being examined by her during the
year:—
Swabs for Diphtheria 366
Sputa for Tubercle 72
An arrangement was made during the year whereby other specimens,
the examination of which is of importance to the public health, can
be examined by the Pathologist to the Croydon General Hospital.
DISINFECTION.
The disinfection of bedding and premises was undertaken by the
Wandle Valley Joint Hospital Board until July, 1936, since when they
have agreed to undertake the disinfection of bedding only. The Council
has made arrangements for the disinfection of premises since July,
1936, which is carried out by the Sanitary Department.
For the convenience of ratepayers, this Council has decided to
provide for disinfection even when this is not essential in the interests
of public health, but in these cases a charge will be made of 10s. 0d.
per load of bedding, etc., 5s. 0d. for the first room, and 2s. 6d. for each
additional room disinfected at the same time.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Council is responsible for the Maternity and Child Welfare
work in this District, and in its endeavour to minimise the risks of childbirth,
and to secure the healthy development of all children born, or
residing in the area, the following measures are taken:—
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