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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.I. 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. I would like, once more, to place on record
my appreciation and thanks to the small staff of the Nelson Hospital
laboratory for being so helpful and obliging throughout the year.
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
of 128. There is accommodation for 83 general patients - mainly
surgical and 45 in the maternity unit which was enlarged during 1962
by the establishment of a premature baby unit. The total number of
in-patients admitted to the general medical and surgical beds was 1,751,
of which 473 were residents of Merton and Morden. With regard to the
maternity services, 284 patients were admitted from our area out of a
total of 1,549.
In the out-patient and casualty departments, 4,921 new patients seen
at Consultative Clinics made 10,158 re-attendances, making a total in
all of 15,079 attendances. The casualty department dealt with 10,317
new cases who made a total of 14,932 re-attendances, making an overall
total of 25,249 attendances.
2. Other Hospitals. Among other hospitals available for the 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 being made of St. George's Hospital, Tooting, formerly called
The Grove Hospital.
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