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22
ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
During the last Great War (1914-1918) Leyton Temporary
Isolation Hospital—a corrugated iron structure—was found to
afford no protection to patients and staff from splinters, and was
evacuated during the latter part of that war. In August, 1939 I
was instructed to arrange for the evacuation of all patients and
staff from the Isolation Hospital in the event of emergency ; and
on 31st August, 1939, all patients were transferred to Walthamstow
Fever Hospital. In accordance with the official instructions
regarding medical arrangements in evacuation and reception areas,
I communicated with the County Medical Officer of Health, the
Medical Officer of Health, Walthamstow, and the Medical Superintendent,
Waltham Joint Fever Hospital—offering the services of
the Leyton Isolation Hospital nursing and domestic staff for duty
in these hospitals, if required. Owing, however, to the exceptionally
low incidence of infectious diseases at the outbreak of
hostilities and since, these hospitals have not required any additional
assistance.
Two assistant nurses were seconded to the reception area for
duty at an improvised hospital at Chelmsford, where they have
been serving since 6th October, leaving matron and nine nurses,
who have been on duty (in shifts of 12 hours) at the first aid posts
in the Borough since the outbreak of hostilities.
The hospital cook has been on duty at High Road Baths first
aid post, acting as cook to the nursing and domestic staff billeted
there.
Two non-resident laundresses have been on duty at the Isolation
Hospital laundry, where they are employed doing the laundry
work for the nursing staff and for the first aid posts. In addition,
A.R.P. blankets are being washed at the Hospital laundry.
One non-resident seamstress is employed at the Isolation
Hospital on work connected with the A.R.P. Casualty Services.
Two wardmaids have been serving in the reception area at a
Special Home for schoolchildren near Braintree, leaving three
resident maids and one non-resident maid for duty at aid posts.
The three Hospital porters are employed on gate dutiss,
looking after hospital premises and equipment, and working the
steam disinfector. In addition to the ordinary steam disinfection
for infectious diseases, A.R.P. personnel blankets are being disinfected.