View report page

13
HENDON EMERGENCY HOSPITAL
YEAR 1942.
ACCOMMODATION.
The accommodation for the isolation of infectious diseases, which for
the first 10 months of the year remained at 52 beds, was extended towards the end
of the year owing to the increase in the incidence of Scarlet Fever, by the transference
from the E.M.S. section of, first one half of Block 2, and later, of the remainder
of the block.
Details of the changes effected in the accommodation are shown below

I am glad to report that the low incidence of Diphtheria,permitted,
of Block 1, normally maintained for the reception of that disease, being used for
the nursing of complicated cases of Whooping Cough and Measles,when these diseases
were prevalent.
The increase in the incidence of infectious diseases was anticipated, as
this had remained unusually low for a number of years, and application was made to
the Ministry of Health for permission to re-build that portion of the cubicle block
which had been damaged by enemy action. This was at first granted, but was later
withdrawn on account of the situation, both as regards labour and material, although
the medical need was freely admitted. A deputation from this Authority was received,
by the Ministry in this connection.
a sufficiency of cubicle accommodation permits the remaining portion of
the hospital being used to bettor advantage, and is a vital necessity in the isolation
of cross infections and for cases sent in with the "wrong diagnosis or for observation.
Moreover, at the present time, due to a variety of reasons, isolation
accommodation is being sought for conditions which would normally be nursed at home,
and which cannot be admitted to the more general wards.