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Open Air Schools.
There are two Open Air Schools, one at Fyfield (Residential),
near Ongar, to accommodate 80 boys, and one within the Borough
at Crosby Road (Day), to accommodate 60 girls. (See page .)
On the site at Fyfield buildings are in process of erection for
the residential accommodation of 60 girls, but it is expected that
these will not be ready for occupation until the Autumn of 1929.
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The Council has two motor Ambulances for the removal of
infectious patients to hospital, and two ambulances for removing
bedding, clothing, or other infected material to the disinfecting
station.
A new Morris Ambulance, to accommodate 2 stretcher or 12
seated patients was purchased during the year, for use at the
Plaistow Fever Hospital.
There are, in addition, two motor ambulances for transference
of non-infectious and accident cases to or from institutions.
The latter ambulances made 1,740 journeys during the year. In
845 cases persons were removed from one address to another
within the Borough. In 895 cases from an address within the
Borough to an institution outside, or vice versa. Provision is
made for a Nurse to accompany the patient, and hot bottles are
supplied during the cold weather. A third ambulance is reserved
for smallpox cases only.
Mutual arrangements are in existence between West Ham,
the County Borough of East Ham, and the District of Barking for
reciprocal use of ambulances on call in case of emergency should
the ambulance of one or other Authority be unavailable, and 15
journeys were made under this arrangement during 1928.
Facilities for obtaining ambulances through Tram Conductors
and the Police have been made, and transparencies are displayed
on all West Ham cars giving full information. Notices to
the same effect are exhibited at all the Council's Conveniences,
Fire Stations, Schools, and other public buildings.
The Ambulance may be obtained in the event of a case requiring
urgent hospital treatment (Medical Certificate required) and
also for any street accident.
The Ambulances are not available for patients requiring outpatient
treatment.
Accidents.
The very large proportion of accident cases removed is startling,
and it is to be observed that the number (679) is rapidly
increasing, as a comparison with the year 1927 (496) will show.
The majority of these accidents have resulted from motor
traffic, and chiefly occurred in the principal thoroughfares of the
Borough. Having regard to the number of these which have
proved fatal it should constitute a matter for serious consideration
by the authorities concerned.
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