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If on occasions beds are not available at Tolworth
admittance can be arranged with the South Middlesex Hospital,
and in the event of beds not being available there the
removal may be put into the hands of the South Western
Branch of the Emergency Bed Service, which operates in
conjunction with the Local Authorities and Hospital Boards.
During the year 92 infectious disease cases were treated in
hospital, and 84 of these were notified from hospital in
the first instance.
To Tolworth Isolation Hospital 7
South Middlesex Hospital 1 ¥
Kingston Hospital 82 ¥
Teddington Hospital 1
Hospital for Sick Children 1 ¥
¥ Cases notified from hospital.
(b) Smallpox.
No cases occurred in the Borough during the year.
Arrangements are in existence whereby the first cases
that may occur are to be admitted to the Joyce Green Hospital,
Dartford, Kent, after consultation with a named smallpox
consultant. This hospital is always standing by to receive
any such cases within a defined area, which includes Kingston,
and the above arrangements are adequate to cover any initial
emergency action.
(c) General.
The main General Hospital situated in the Borough
available for the district is the Kingston Hospital,
Wolverton Avenue, Kingston-upon-Thames (telephone KINgston
5692). This is a large comprehensive General Hospital with
a full range of general and special departments.
It has also a busy and highly organised Out-Patient
Department fully supported to meet all surgical, medical,
and psychological emergencies.
2. National Assistance Act. 1948.
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951.
Under Section 47 of the 1948 Act, a Local Authority is
empowered to apply to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, to
have removed to suitable premises, persons in need of care
and attention.
The 1951 Act enables local authorities to deal more
speedily with very urgent cases by initial removal, for
a period not exceeding three weeks.
The conditions under which an elderly lady (80) was
living were reported to your Medical Officer of Health who
visited the premises concerned. It was ascertained that
this person was living alone and was in no condition to
look after herself. She steadfastly refused to go into
a Welfare Establishment and compulsory action was taken,
A certificate was issued by the Medical Officer of
Health and the General Practitioner attending the patient,
to the effect that she was living alone, and being aged,
infirm and living in insanitary conditions, was unable to
devote to herself, and was not receiving from other
persons, proper care and attention A Court Order was
obtained under the National Assistance (Amendment) Act,
1951 and the old lady was removed to a Surrey County Council
Residential Establishment.