View report page

26
SECTION B (I).—GENERAL PROVISION OF
HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE AREA.
Laboratory Facilities.
The testing of throat swabs in urgent cases is undertaken
by the West Kent Isolation Hospital, and the
arrangements continue to function satisfactorily. For
the examination of clinical material (sputum, swabs,
etc.), water, milk and foodstuffs, the Kent County
Council maintains an efficient service at the County
Laboratory at Maidstone.
Ambulance Facilities.
(1) For Infectious Disease Cases.—Provided by
the West Kent Joint Hospital Board at their Hospital
at Lennard Road, Bromley Common.
(2) For Non-Infectious and Accident CasesThe
Corporation provides two ambulances stationed at
the Fire Brigade Station, which are available at all
hours for the removal of sick cases of non-infectious
nature, and accident cases. An ambulance may not in
any case be used for removal to a place more than 25
miles (by road) from the Fire Station. There are
reciprocal arrangements with the Beckenham and Penge
Local Authorities for the use of their ambulances in the
event of both our ambulances being in use. The fee for
the use of the ambulance may be reduced or remitted
entirely in necessitous cases.
Nursing in the Home.
(1) The Bromley District Nursing Association was
formed in 1907 with the objects of providing: skilled
general nursing for the sick poor in their own homes
and for those who cannot provide it for themselves, and
skilled maternity nursing and midwifery at a small cost.
Since the 1st November, 1937, the Association ceased to
carry out maternity and midwifery work, and their staff
of three midwives were taken over by the Local
Authority under the Municipal Midwifery Service,
which was instituted by virtue of the provisions of the
Midwives Act, 1936.