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7
During the year an addition was made to the hospital to provide
20 extra bedrooms and recreation rooms for the nursing staff, and
doctors' rooms. Each nurse has now a bedroom to herself.
Tuberculosis.
There have been no new developments during the year in this
branch of the department. In each of my Annual Reports I have
drawn attention to the inadequate and unsuitable Dispensary
premises, which are much inferior to those provided by many
neighbouring boroughs. It is unfortunate that, when dealing with
a widespread illness causing heavy loss of life and heavier financial
loss to the community, the cardinal principles of healthy environment,
fresh air and bright homes, in combating this scourge, should
not be illustrated in the building to which patients go for examination
and advice.
The work at Gheam has gone steadily on and in view of the
high proportion of advanced cases admitted, the results are good.
Cheam is, in reality, a Tuberculosis hospital and not a Sanatorium.
It was designed, originally, as a Small Pox Hospital. It plays,
however, an important part in the scheme. Owing to the extensive
building development which has taken place all round the hospital
the Committee have had under consideration moving the hospital
to another site upon which could be erected a Sanatorium as well
as a Tuberculosis Hospital, whereby the present necessity of sending
cases to outside institutions would be overcome No definite
decision had been arrived at by the end of the year.
Venereal Diseases.
There are no new developments to report upon in 1937. The
number of patients dealt with at the Clinic at the Croydon General
Hospital has, however, risen, and is the highest since 1931. The
Local Branch of the British Social Hygiene Council has carried
out propaganda work during the year and was assisted by a grant
from the Council.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
The chief developments during the year were the transfer of
the administration of St. Mary's Maternity Hospital to the Council
from the Mothers' and Infants' Welfare Association; and the
commencement of the Municipal Midwives Service. This service
arose to comply with the requirements of the Midwives Act, 1936.
It was decided to commence with 6 district midwives and a superintendent,
and to increase the number up to a total of 15 as the
demand arose. From its inception the service seems to have been
welcomed, and as it has become better known the calls for the
midwives services have multiplied. At the end of the year the
number had reached a point at which the appointment of two
additional midwives was justified and their appointment took place
early in 1938.