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undergone material modification and are likely to undergo still
greater changes before they are finally adopted. On account of the
negotiations and conferences which are still taking place it seems
unwise to go into the report on this occasion or make criticisms of it
or even make suggestions. There is no doubt that greater
efficiency and greater economy can be obtained as a result not
only of a combination of some of the hospitals but also of cooperation
between all of them. Every step should therefore be
taken to bring about such combination and co-operation provided
the control of the local authorities concerned is not unduly
lessened or interfered with.
(2) Smallpox Hospital.—The provision for the isolation and
treatment of cases of smallpox remains the same. This consists
in the London County Council receiving into their smallpox hospitals
any cases occurring in the County of Middlesex, the arrangements
having been made by the Middlesex County Council at the request
of the local authorities in the County.
(3) Tuberculosis Hospitals.—Hospital accommodation for cases
of tuberculosis occurring in the Borough or in any part of Middlesex
is provided by the Middlesex County Council at Harefield Sanatorium
and at Clare Hall Hospital.
(4) Maternity Hospital. The Maternity Hospital for the
Borough, which also serves the Urban District of Brentford and
Chiswick, is managed by the Chiswick and Ealing Hospitals Committee.
During the year the Hospitals Committee decided to
extend the hospital to make provision for 16 more beds and to
erect a new Labour Block. Unfortunately, in the same way as
with the Isolation Hospital, the progress was stopped on account
of the financial crisis. So great is the demand for hospital accommodation
for maternity cases which are of a suitable kind to require
this treatment that the beds at the Hospital are usually booked
completely three or four months in advance. One advantage of
booking so early is that expectant mothers are impressed with
the need for attending the Ante-Natal Centre early, but the
unfortunate thing is that sometimes a mother who is greatly in
need of this special provision and who has been unfortunate enough