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82
ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
The Isolation Hospital, which is situated at Beddington
Corner, Mitcham Junction, is the Joint Hospital for the
Croydon Rural and Merton Urban District Councils, and was
opened for the reception of patients at the beginning of
March, 1899, since which date 4,730 patients have been
admitted.
Accommodation— At the time the Hospital was first
opened, the population of the district being about 28,000, it
was thought that it would be sufficient if accommodation was
provided for 28 patients, viz., 10 Scarlet Fever cases, 10 Diphtheria
cases, 4 Typhoid Fever cases, and 4 beds for observation
purposes.
The Shortage of beds, however, became more pronounced
in each succeeding year, and in 1905, a very considerable
enlargement took place by the addition of a Scarlet Fever
pavilion of 22 beds. The hand laundry was also converted
into a steam laundry, and some additional dormitory
accommodation was provided in the Administrative Block.
Owing to the great pressure which was placed upon the
resources of the Hospital, and to the many occasions on which
the Hospital was overcrowded, it was deemed essential that
there should be a further enlargement, and in 1910, plans
were passed for an extension to include a cubicle block for
12 patients, and also quarters for a Resident Medical Officer.
This extension was opened in November, 1910.
Staff.—The Staff of the Hospital consists of—
1 Resident Medical Officer.
1 Matron.
1 Assistant Matron.
13 Nurses.
3 Laundresses.
2 Engineers.
7 Servants.
6 Wardmaids.
1 Seamstress.
2 Gardeners.
Porter and Portress.