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BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS. A number of blood transfusions
have been given, as in previous years. The Hospital
Blood Bank is kept stocked, and our grateful thanks are due
to Dr. John Shone, Director of the North London Blood Supply
Depot, for his help in this connection and in the provision of
Rhesus Negative Blood when required.
A small number of infants suffering from Erythroblastosis
Foetalis (Icterus Gravis and Congenital Haemolytic Anaemia
types) have been transfused and saved.
X-RAY EXAMINATIONS. During 1946, 285 maternity
patients were X-rayed at Whipps Cross Hospital. I would like
to thank the Medical Superintendent and the Radiologist for
their provision of these facilities.
The need for the installation of an X-ray apparatus at
Forest Gate Hospital is great and urgent, and facilities should
be available on the spot to enable patients to be X-rayed during
labour where this essential aid to the modern practice of the
science and art of Obstetrics is required.
NURSING STAFF. The shortage of nursing staff of all
kinds still exists. This shortage is of the greatest moment in
the Maternity Department.
The recognition of our expanded Maternity Department by
the Central Midwives' Board as a training school for pupil
midwives (Part 1 or Parts 1 and 2) appears to offer the most
successful method whereby the desired increase in nursing staff
could be achieved and maintained.
DOMESTIC STAFF. The shortage of domestic staff
persisted during the year.
KITCHEN. The Main Kitchen should be modernised at as
early a date as practicable, with appropriate staffing.
HOSPITAL LAUNDRY. The Laundry continues to be
inadequate, and though the staff are to be commended for the
excellent work they do, the complete requirements of the Hospital
cannot be met, and the Laundry should be reconstructed and
re-equipped.
THE FUTURE. The Hospital will have been taken over
by the Regional Hospitals Board established under the provisions
of the National Health Service Act 1946 before my report in
respect of the year 1947 is in print, and so a few anticipatory
observations will not be out of place.
The tendency which began to develop in 1935 for the
Maternity Department to become the .most important part of
the work of the Hospital has been fully maintained, despite the
impact of war.
The following abstract from a report submitted to the
Management Committee of the Hospital over the date 23rd
August, 1926, is not without interest: —
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