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AMBULANCE SERVICE
Ambulances are available for use by the Burgesses, under
certain qualifying conditions, viz:—
Whipps Cross Hospital
(Public Assistance Committee) 5
Plaistow Fever Hospital
(Hospitals Committee) 2
Public Health Committee and
Highways Committee 3
(For street and other accidents, maternity cases,
etc)
The two ambulances under the control of the Public Health
Committee made 2,171 journeys during the year The number
of persons conveyed from one address to another in the district
was 1,223, and 948 persons were taken from one address within
the Borough to an address outside, or vice versa These ambulances
are only used for noninfectious and accident cases, or for
cases requiring immediate removal to hospital for treatment or
operation, and in the latter cases a medical certificate is required
Notices giving particulars regarding the use of the
ambulances are exhibited in Fire Stations, Schools, and other
buildings; also, the police are fully conversant with the arrangements
in force, and often themselves get in touch with ambulance
stations
There are reciprocal arrangements in force with the County
Borough of East Ham, and with the Borough of Barking, for
the use of their respective ambulances, on call, in cases of emergency,
should the ambulance of one or other authority be in commission
The journeys made under these arrangements are as under:—
In thirteen cases the East Ham Ambulance was used for the
removal of West Ham cases, and in 32 instances the West Ham
Ambulance was used to remove East Ham cases
An interworking arrangement is also in force between West
Ham Council and the London County Council
The present service seems to be quite sufficient to cope with
the work Of course, now and again both of the Council's Ambulances
are out when a call is made, but this difficulty is easily overcome
owing to the existence of reciprocal arrangements, as mentioned,
being in operation
The Plaistow Fever Hospital has motor vans specially
designed for dealing with removal of bedding, clothing, or anv
infected material to the disinfecting station, which is attached
to the hospital
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