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SECTION B—HEALTH SERVICES
Laboratory Facilities
The chemical analysis of milk, water and foodstuffs was carried out
during the year by the Public Analyst, Mr. D. D. Moir, M.Sc., F.R.I.C., of
16 Southwark Street, London, S.E.1. For the examination of specimens in
cases of suspected food poisoning and for the bacteriological examination
of milk and water use was made of the Public Health Laboratory at
Epsom.
Routine laboratory examinations in connection with infectious
disease were carried out by the hospital laboratory service of the Nelson
and St. Helier Hospitals. Particular thanks are due to the Nelson Hospital
laboratory, which with a small staff, is always so obliging, obviating the
need for taking specimens further afield.
Ambulance Service
This service is supervised by the Surrey County Council. The Control
Centre for the Metropolitan area of Surrey operates from 163, Kingston
Road, New Maiden, Telephone MALden 7733.
Hospitals
General and Maternity:
1. The Nelson Hospital. This hospital, which serves Wimbledon,
Merton and Morden and parts of Wandsworth, has a bed complement 128.
This is 5 more than in the previous year, arising as the result of the
establishment of a premature baby unit at the hospital. There is, therefore,
accommodation for 83 general patients - mainly surgical-and 45 in the
maternity unit. The total number of in-patients admitted to the general
medical and surgical beds was 1,778, of which 483 were residents of
Merton and Morden. With regard to maternity services, 275 patients
were admitted from our area out of a total of 1,507.
In the out-patient and casualty departments, 4,747 new patients seen
at Consultative Clinics made 10,849 re-attendances, making a total in all
of 15,596 attendances. The casualty department dealt with 9,892 new
cases who made a total of 13,494 re-attendances.
2. Other Hospitals. Among other hospitals available for use of our
residents are St. Helier Hospital, Carshalton, and the Epsom and Kingston
Hospitals. St. Helier is used to a very great extent and a large proportion
of our births take place at this hospital each year. Increasing use is also
made of St. George's Hospital, Tooting, formerly called The Grove
Hospital.
During the year under review, of the 879 births (live and still) notified,
384 or 43.6% of the total, took place in St. Helier Hospital.
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