View report page

A building at Fyfield, to accommodate (50 girls, has just been
completed, and some children are already in residence, although
the official opening has not yet taken place.
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The Council has three Motor Ambulances for the removal of
infectious patients to hospital, and three ambulances for removing
bedding, clothing, or other infected material to the disinfecting
station. A new "Star" disinfecting motor was purchased during
the year.
There are, in addition, two motor ambulances for transference
of non-infectious and accident cases to and from institutions.
The latter ambulances made 2,017 journeys during the year. In
1,046 cases persons were removed from one address to another
within the Borough, in 971 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 water 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 21
journeys were made under this arrangement during 1929.
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.
A review of the calls for the ambulance during the year
reveals again an increase in the number of street accidents. This
matter is one calling for immediate and stringent action by the
Authorities concerned, especially in view of the serious loss of life
occasioned.
The figures for the last three years are as follows :—
1927 496
1928 079
1929 702
27