London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Ealing 1925

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]

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— 12 —
The lay-out of the town is well designed to give plenty of
space between the houses and to preserve the residential character
of the district, most of the roads being planted with trees which
add greatly to the appearance and temper the air in the hot summer
months.
The public parks are a feature of the district. There are four
large parks, Walpole, Lammas and Pitshanger Parks and the
Common, consisting of 155 acres, two smaller parks of 21 acres,
Hanger Hill and Cleveland Parks, the latter acquired during
1925, and several open spaces or playing grounds of 35 acres in
extent. In 1925 the Boroughs of Ealing and Acton acquired for
public use the beautiful estate of Gunnersbury Park, just outside
Ealing and Acton, but close enough to be readily accessible by the
inhabitants of both districts. The acquisition of this estate, which
is 200 acres in extent, should not only preserve the amenities of
both.districts, but should offer splendid facilities to old and young
alike for healthful recreation.
In addition to these open spaces for public recreation there
are 57 acres of permanent allotments.
The King Edward Memorial Hospital, which has 18 beds for
men, 18 for women, 12 for children and 7 private wards, and to
which 40 more beds are being added, supplies to a large extent the
needs of the people of the Borough for surgical and medical treatment
in a general hospital, although many cases find their way to general
and special hospitals in London. For persons coming within the
Poor Law the West Middlesex Hospital, which is under the Brentford
Board of Guardians, the local authority for Poor Law purposes
in this area, offers every facility for surgical and medical treatment.
This hospital, which is well equipped and efficiently managed, is
gaining in popularity every year. If the doors could be opened
wider to admit a larger group of the public who are able to pay a
certain amount for treatment, other general hospitals could be
relieved of pressure on their accommodation and resources.
There is a Dispensary in connection with the King Edward
Memorial Hospital. By contributing a small amount each month,
women and children of the working-class community can obtain
medical treatment at their homes.