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61
On this report it was decided to proceed with the building
of a new pavilion of 24 beds to be erected over Block I. as soon
as the necessary sanction for loans was obtained.
The necessity for a cubicle block in any modern Isolation
Hospital hardly requires emphasis. A number of cases of doubtful
diagnosis are sent by the private practitioner to prevent the
spread of infection at home. If not actually suffering from the
disease notified such patients run considerable risk of contracting
it or of conveying a fresh infection to the other patients.
Some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining an adequate
nursing staff. The special risks run by the Nurses concerned
demand that they should receive special consideration at the hands
of Local Authorities. The Probationer Nurses received the
usual course of lectures and training. At the present time the
nursing work of the Hospital is being carried 011 at a very high
level.
Some difficulty was experienced in the work of the Hospital
by the application of the 47-hour week to the male staff, and
this necessitated the engagement of an additional three men.
The cost of the administration of the Hospital has been increased
considerably by the increased salaries paid to the nursing,
domestic, and male staff, as well as the high cost of food, etc.
The motor ambulance and disinfecting-van service is now
ready for use.
More patients were admitted to the Isolation Hospital during
1920, than have previously bee'n recorded. A total of 506 was
admitted, compared with 481 in 1919 and 450 in 1907, the highest
previous totals.
The number of patients in Hospital on January 1st, 1920,
was 76:—
Scarlet Fever 54
Diphtheria 15
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 7