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During the present outbreak of Small-pox it soon became
evident that Orsett Hospital could not cope with the number of
cases, and it was necessary to approach the Metropolitan Asylums
Board (now the London County Council) to receive cases from
West Ham and the out-lying districts. This, fortunately, was
agreed to, and obviated the removal of Tuberculous patients from
Dagenham Hospital.
In a recent report on Small-pox accommodation I have pointed
out the advisability of not continuing the existing agreements with
the various out-lying districts, which agreements expire in March,
1932, and further, that owing to considerable alterations to the
buildings at Dagenham Hospital whereby certain portions previously
used as wards have been converted into rest-rooms, dayrooms
and mess-rooms, the total available number of beds which
could be used for Small-pox cases has been greatly reduced. The
immediate environment of the Hospital has completely altered in
character since it was originally opened for Small-pox. Roads
and houses now abound within a short distance, and a dense population
has sprung up in the vicinity.
Although the London County Council have agreed to receive
Small-pox patients from West Ham and the out-lying districts
until December, 1931, there is at present no guarantee that this
will be continued after that date, and this opens up the very important
subject of considering Hospital accommodation for Smallpox
cases.
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