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15
To Tolworth Isoldtion Hospital 11
South Middlesex Hospital 1
Kingston Hospital 80 *
Weymouth Infectious Disease Hospital 1 **
Surbiton Hospital 2
* 79 notified from hospital,,
** 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 intended 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.
It was not necessary to use these powers in respect
of any person resident within the Borough during 1953.
Although the problems associated with aged persons do not
diminish, the number of geriatric cases coming to the notice
of the Public Health Department during the year was less
than in previous years. All necessary help and advice was
given in each individual case, and everything done to improve
the conditions found upon inspection.
The close co-operation between the Physician Superintendent
of Kingston Hospital, the Welfare Officer, local
doctors, and your Medical Officer of Health, mentioned in
my last report, continues, and many cases were dealt with
by voluntary arrangement.
There is acute lack of adequate bed provision for the
accommodation of selected and needy chronic sick.