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66
Preparations were made for laundry extensions by tlie removal
of disused plant from the engine room.
A new electric incubator was provided at a cost of £14 10s. 0d.
Extensions.—Good progress was made during the year on the
extension to the Administrative Block. The estimated cost is
£9,669, which will provide 24 extra bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, storeroom
and a general office, and a large dining and rest room for the
domestic staff.
On completion of the extension the existing accommodation
can be re-allocated for improved staff quarters and to provide a
nurses' lecture room for training purposes.
The Council, during the year, decided to apply to the Ministry
of Health for sanction for a loan of £1,117 in order to complete the
top floor of the new wing, so adding a further 10 bedrooms and
2 bathrooms.
The completion of this extension will enable the Hospital to be
more adequately staffed, so reducing the working hours of all staff
to approximately 48 hours per week. It will also enable the small
E Block now used for staff sleeping quarters to be adapted for
8 additional patient beds and will liberate the convalescent room in
F Block (now also used as staff sleeping quarters) for some 6 patient
beds. The additional 14 beds will be of great value for the reception
of bad cases of Measles and Whooping Cough.
General.—Paratyphoid cases were admitted during the milkspread
epidemic in the spring of the year, the convalescent Scarlet
Fever Ward being cleared in order to accommodate them.
For the latter half of the year, the convalescent Diphtheria
Ward remained closed. This has continued during 1932 and has
enabled a limited number of cases of severe measles with complications
to be admitted.
The agreement with the Loughton Urban District Council to
receive and treat their cases was renewed for a period of two years
from March, 1932.
Notification was received during the year from the Essex
County Council stating that the County Council were of opinion
that a Joint Hospital Board should be constituted for the Boroughs
of Walthamstow and Leyton and that your Council's Sanatorium
should be taken over by the proposed Board and extended. Your
Council decided to give notification of opposition to the formation
of a Joint Hospital Board.