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9
This Hospital was scheduled dining the year by the Ministry
of Health as a la Hospital, and to enable as many Casualties as
possible to be admitted in the event of the outbreak of hostilities
65 additional beds were provided, also equipment. At the commencement
of the War, the pre-arranged scheme was put into
operation. As many Infectious Diseases' cases as possible were
sent home, and 210 beds were reserved for the admission of casualties.
Happily, we found it unnecessary to admit many Infectious
Diseases from Romford during the latter part of the year.
Apart from the necessary works of adaptation and protection
occasioned by the War, no alterations of any extent were carried
out at the Hospital. Immediately prior to the outbreak of War,
however, arrangements had been made for the reception and treatment
of 36 cases of Tuberculosis, which were transferred from Oldchurch
County Hospital. These were discharged from the Isolation
Hospital at the beginning of September.
(b) Maternity.
Patients in whom complications have arisen during pregnancy
or confinement can be admitted to Oldchurch County Hospital for
treatment, and if the home environment is unsatisfactory arrangements
can also be made for admission to this Hospital.
Cases of Puerperal Pyrexia, and Ophthalmia Neonatorum are,
if necessary, admitted to the Romford Isolation Hospital, under a
scheme of treatment. Cases of Puerperal Pyrexia arising in Oldchurch
Hospital, and suspected of being septic in origin, are also
transferred to the Romford Isolation Hospital.
(c) Children.
The facilities in this category remain as before.
(d) Other Cases.
Accident cases, and non-infectious cases can be catered for
either at the Victoria Hospital, a voluntary Hospital with 31 beds,
or at Oldchurch County Hospital, which is under the jurisdiction of
the Public Health Committee of the Essex County Council, and
which has 860 beds. Both these Hospitals are situated within the
boundary of Romford. In addition, many large London Hospitals
are within easy mileage of Romford.
Under the Emergency Medical Services Scheme of the Ministry
of Health, the Oldchurch County Hospital from the commencement
of the War was classified as a la Hospital and had to reserve 700
beds for the admission of casualties. The Victoria Hospital, on the
other hand, was earmarked for the admission of cases of ordinary
sickness.
During 1939, the Romford Council again granted a donation of
10 guineas to the Victoria Hospital, and 20 guineas to the King
George Hospital, Ilford.