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54
Staff.—The most notable event of the year was the retirement
on superannuation of Miss L. Pratchett, S.E.N., who had
been Matron of the Isolation Hospital since its erection in 1901.
Miss Pratchett had rendered your Council loyal and faithful service
for 32 years and had witnessed the growth of the Hospital from
its original three blocks to the present fine institution with seven
ward blocks and accommodating a total of 174 patients.
Miss V. M. Wilson, S.E.N., was appointed as Matron and
assumed duty in April.
The nursing staff was increased by the appointment of a Sister
Tutor, two Staff Nurses, and one Probationer.
General.— The death rate per hundred admissions of infectious
disease patients was 1.49.
Towards the end of 1933 a special report was made to the
Public Health and Sanatorium Visiting Committeesastotheaccommodation
available for infectious disease patients. The report stated
that, at times, dangerous overcrowding of the wards had to be
resorted to and that there was an extreme shortage of cubicle
accommodation.
Your Committee is at the moment awaiting a reply from
the Essex County Council as to their relinquishing the Tuberculosis
Pavilion which could easily be converted into a new cubicle block.
Alternatively, the provision of a new cubicle block, including an
up-to-date operating theatre, should be considered.
During the year the County Council revised the amount of
the grant payable by them in respect of infectious disease beds.
The new grant was made up as follows:-
£
1. £5 per bed on a basis of 2,000 cubic feet per bed
(i.e., 81 beds) 405
2. £10 per ambulance 20
3. Special additional grant in view of extension to
Administration Block 100
Total £525
Financial Statement.—A financial statement for the year
ending 31st March, 1933, is given below:-
Loan Charges. £ s. d.
Amount of Loan outstanding on
31st March, 1932 12,871 0 0