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in buildings similar to those to be erected for convalescent smallpox
patients at Darenth; but, unlike Darenth, it is intended to be
in permanent occupation, and it is expected to relieve the pressure
upon the other hospitals north of the Thames. It is probable that
the Managers will ultimately decide upon purchasing a site for
convalescing fever patients south of the river, so as to carry out
the recommendations of the Hospitals Commission, as it is
obviously necessary, if we are to be prepared against all emergencies,
that there should be hospitals, or, at the least, sites on which
to make temporary provision for patients in the acute, and in the
convalescent, stages, and so situated, moreover, as to be accessible
from all parts of the Metropolis north and south of the Thames.
Ambulance Service.—The Hospitals Commission recommended
"that the hospital authorities should have the entire control
of the ambulances, by which all other modes of conveyance should
be as far as possible superseded." In order to give effect to this
recommendation, the Managers have provided ambulance stations
at three of their London hospitals, powers for this purpose having
been conferred on them by section 16 of the Poor Law Act, 1879.
The Station in connection with the Western Hospital, with which
we are more immediately concerned, is now in active operation.
It provides stabling for 15 horses, coach-house for 15 ambulances,
together with all necessary accommodation for drivers, nurses, &c.,
on a site 220 feet by 76 feet. Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on
week days cases are reported by telegraph at the Managers'
offices at Norfolk Street, Strand, these being in telephonic communication
with the Station, whence an ambulance, with a nurse in
attendance, is sent to remove the patient to a land hospital or to
a wharf, en route to a Ship Hospital, as the case maybe. After
8 p.m., and on Sunday, the application for removal of a patient is
forwarded direct to the Ambulance Station. In view of the
importance of speedy removal, I suggested to the Guardians in this
parish the desirability of placing their offices in telephonic communication
with the offices of the Managers, and this they agreed
to do, but difficulties have prevented, as yet, the carrying out of the
arrangement. Subsequently to the above suggestion, the Managers-