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23
LABORATORY SERVICES.
The Kent County Council Laboratory at Maidstone provides
a Laboratory Service for the whole of the work of the County.
Unfortunately, the distance of the laboratory from Bromley
frequently causes a delay in the speedy examination and reporting
upon of materials of an urgent nature, but this has, to a
small extent, been overcome by specimens being sent by
passenger train and collected by a member of the laboratory
staff on their arrival at Maidstone Station. This arrangement
does not, however, completely cover the question of obtaining
early reports on urgent specimens.
It is to be regretted that the Ministry of Health Emergency
Laboratory at Downe was closed at the end of February, 1947,
as the valuable co-operation and help which have been freely
given at all times by Dr. R. I. Hutchinson and her laboratory
staff will be very much missed.
The examination of emergency diphtheria swabs is carried
out at the West Kent Isolation Hospital, and the service
afforded has, at all times, been most satisfactory.
The following swabs, specimens, etc., were sent for
tion and report during the year:—
Haemolytic Streptococci 241
Diphtheria 54
Specimens of blood (for Rhesus factor, Wassermann
and Kahn, and Haemoglobin) 323
Food samples. Water Samples, etc. 373
Miscellaneous 12
SUPPLY OF INSULIN.
During the year, financial assistance was given to seven
necessitous diabetic patients, by the free or part-cost provision
of insulin.
NURSING IN THE HOME.
The services of the Bromley and District Nursing Association
and the Hayes and West Wickham Nursing Association, both
of which are affiliated to the Kent County Nursing Association,
are available for the provision of nursing facilities for the sick