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Specimens which cannot be examined adequately in the Council's
laboratory are sent to the Counties Public Health Laboratories, 91,
Queen Victoria Street, London, and some pathological specimens are
sent to the pathological laboratory of the Croydon General Hospital.
AMBULANCE FACILITIES.
General and Accident Cases. On the cessation of hostilities in
Europe, the Council reverted to its pre-war practice of operating one
ambulance vehicle only for the removal of accident cases occurring in
the Borough and also for general public requirements. The service is
under the control of the Medical Officer of Health. As forecast last
year, the second ambulance, which is now over 17 years old, was withdrawn
from regular service and is now used for occasional relief work
only.
Through the courtesy of the National Fire Service, the ambulances
were returned to the pre-war base at Belmont Road Fire Station, and
special mention must be made of the friendly co-operative attitude
that has at all times been displayed by the officers and firemen at the
Belmont Road Fire Station.
Civil ambulance removals during 1945 totalled 927, and in the
course of: this work a mileage of 7,463 was recorded, these figures including
journeys undertaken at the request of neighbouring local
authorities. The mutual assistance arrangements in operation between
the Borough and contiguous authorities continued to function very
satisfactorily. The Council's ambulance assisted on 78 occasions when
called under the scheme and on 39 occasions when reciprocal services
were required ambulances were immediately available.
Details of the work of the Civil Ambulance during 1945 are as
follows:—
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