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An adequate scheme complying with my definition of such as
set out in my report of March, 1930, would then be completed.
I now suggest a new institution with a maximum of five
hundred beds to supply the most urgent need. Harold Wood
Hospital could then be relieved of poor law cases and suitably
used; further, many of the chronic and sub-acute cases now taking
up beds at Whipps Cross Hospital could be treated at this new
institution, thus creating more space for the acute sick, and
enabling the children to be treated in wards apart from adults.
Many cases now at Forest Gate Hospital could be transferred to
this new institution, thus allowing more space for the mentally
deficient patients treated there. Some of the overcrowding at
the Central Home would also be alleviated. If an institution with
this number of beds were built adjoining Whipps Cross Hospital
or Forest House, there would be many advantages over other
sites, e.g., the staff could be accommodated more conveniently and
be more easily administered, the special departments (X-ray,
Sunray, etc.), and the visiting specialists to Whipps Cross would
be immediately available; then, too, necessary transference of
patients could be more easily effected.
If the Mental Deficiency Colony at South Ockendon is proceeded
with, on its completion some hundred beds will be freed
at: Forest Gate Hospital; alternatively, if the lowest grade villas
are not built at Ockendon, then Forest Gate Hospital will not be
materially relieved. In any case the five hundred beds mentioned
are needed.
The voluntary hospitals are being used to their fullest extent,
and have waiting lists. At a meeting convened on June 17th,
1931, under Section 13 of the Local Government Act, 1929, representatives
of all the local voluntary hospitals attended at the Town
Hall, and in regard to each hospital schemes were eventually
promulgated for increased accommodation but without exception
to be carried out at the expense of the Council.
In conclusion, it is now over three years that this vital
question has been under consideration. It is essential in the
interests of the health of the borough that more accommodation
should be provided: the non-vital though important questions of
"designation" of classification, of "central committees," etc.,
might be considered in the light of a going concern.
F. GARLAND COLLINS,
Medical Officer of Health and
Chief School Medical Officer.
Medical Officer of Health's Department,
Municipal Health Offices,
Romford Road. E.15.
January 5th, 1934.
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