On the provision of isolation hospital accommodation by local authorities / [Ministry of Health].

  • Great Britain. Ministry of Health.
Date:
H.M.S.O.,
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the provision of isolation hospital accommodation by local authorities / [Ministry of Health]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Hosp./2. ‘ON THE PROVISION OF ISOLATION HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES. This memorandum is designed to represent to those who are responsible for the health of communities the importance of providing hospital accommodation for the isolation of cases of infectious disease, -and of doing so before the actual invasion of their districts by such disease. Jt is further intended to indicate to local authorities, more -especially to those of districts of small or moderate size, the means by which they may most advantageously make such provision. Some -general principles to be held in view by all authorities who propose to provide, by means of loans sanctioned by the Minister of Health, isolation hospitals for their districts will be set forth in the course of ‘the memorandum. The provision of hospital accommodation for cases of infectious diseases is to be regarded primarily as a measure of sanitary defence, for the protection of the public against the spread of these diseases. It is true that such accommodation incidentally serves other useful purposes. Thus, it is frequently of value for the relief of individuals suffering from infectious disease, whose sufferings may be alleviated and their recovery promoted by affording them better accommodation -and attendance than they are able to obtain at their own homes. Or ‘it may be the means of avoiding serious inconvenience and pecuniary loss, as when infectious disease breaks out in a school, a lodging house, or a place of business. But, nevertheless, the most important function which such a hospital serves is that of the isolation of the first cases -of infectious disease with a view to preventing its further spread in ‘the household or locality invaded. In order that a hospital may fulfil this function, it is essential that it should be in readiness beforehand. Experience has shown that on the invasion of an epidemic, a hospital, even of a temporary kind, can seldom be provided and got ready for use until the time when it would have been of most service is past. The accommodation, moreover, which is required when an epidemic has become established is on a larger scale than would have sufficed for the isolation of the first cases ; and hospitals hurriedly erected during the stress of an epidemic are never satisfactory in construction or suited to the permanent needs -of the district. An isolation hospital being intended primarily for the protection of the public at large rather than for the benefit of individuals, it is undesirable that admission should be subject to restrictive charges and conditions which may tend to prevent the use of the hospital by the poorer portion of the community ; that is to say, by those who have the least facilities for isolation and treatment at their own homes.