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There is no doubt that the administration of these observation
wards, and the amount of time which the clinical supervision
of the patients demands, is a serious drain on the energy of the
officials concerned. There appears to be no incontravertible argument
in favour of the retention of these wards at Whipps Cross
Hospital. This type of ward is much better left to an alienist of
experience. In the past much good work has been carried out in
these wards, but it should be remembered that each year the
general administration of the hospital increases, and the time*
which the medical superintendent must give to this work in the
observation wards is therefore more and more an impediment to
the general running of the hospital.
In December, 1937, a meeting of the Visiting Committee
of the Mental Hospital was held to consider the transfer of these
observation patients to Goodmayes Mental Hospital. The general
concensus of opinion was that the transfer was desirable, but
difficulties in dealing with certain types of cases made it necessary
to delay any effective measures. The position will be reconsidered
at a later date.
FOREST GATE HOSPITAL.
Buildings and staff.
This is a comparatively old building which was transferred in
1930. The institution consists essentially of a central administrative
block which is surrounded by three-storey buildings for the
accommodation of mental defectives and epileptics. Behind these
main buildings is a maternity unit, which consists of two blocks
with a nominal accommodation for 64 lying-in beds. At the rear
of the institution there is a considerable area of unbuilt land, and
in 1931 four additional wards of a temporary nature were erected
for the accommodation of the chronic sick. The whole institution
now has accommodation for 723 patients.
Medical staff. The staff consists of the medical superintendent,
two assistant resident medical officers, and one visiting
psychiatrist.
Nursing staff. The nursing staff of the hospital as a whole
is 24 trained nurses, 109 assistant nurses, and 16 male attendants.
The nursing staff of the maternity unit is 5 midwives, 8 pupil midwives,
and 4 assistant nurses.