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GENERAL PROVISIONS OF HEALTH SERVICES
Hospitals
The position in regard to the admission of cases to hospital
has shown very little alteration from that recorded in the Annual
Reports for the past few years.
Most difficulty is encountered in the admission to hospitals of
the chronic elderly sick. To the substantial total of such cases
must be added the growing number of infirm, elderly persons, who
require care and attention in some sort of institution, although
they may not be suffering from any specific ailment, and may not
require actual treatment in hospital. The provision of this type
of accommodation largely lies with the County Council, which is
actively trying to meet these needs. At the moment, the position is
still acute, and far from satisfactory. Many of the cases brought
to our attention are indeed tragic. It is unfortunately not within our
power to take definite action, except by using Section 47 of the
National Assistance Act 1948. None the less, we do try to assist
families placed in this unfortunate position, and can at least put
them in touch with various bodies which are in a position to help
them in a practical manner.
The admission of cases of infectious disease to hospital has
continued to work very satisfactorily indeed throughout the year.
From my monthly reports to the Public Health Committee, it will
be obvious that the infectious diseases picture has changed
materially during the past few years. This has eased the strain
on hospital beds. The principle which we adopt in regard to the
admission of cases of infectious disease has remained unaltered.
Broadly speaking, we recommend the admission to hospital of all
cases in which continuous nursing and medical advice are required,
or where the danger of complications or sequelae is likely to arise.
So far as mild infectious diseases are concerned, e.g., measles,
scarlet fever and the like, we do not press for admission to hospital
unless suitable isolation cannot be provided in the home, or unless
the employment of a bread-winner is affected. For practical purposes,
"suitable isolation" is defined as the provision of a room
for the patient's sole use. It is worth recording that the general
practitioners co-operate most cordially in the application of these
principles, as do the various hospitals to which our cases are
admitted.
Laboratory Facilities
The remarks set out in the Annual Report for 1950 relating
to the assistance and advice provided by the Central Public Health
Laboratory Service apply as before. It is still very satisfactory to
note that we can call upon the Laboratory Service for assistance in
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