[Report 1930] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow.

  • Glasgow (Scotland)
Date:
1930
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1930] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/422 (page 5)
    may arise in the future. In Glasgow, where some 6,200 beds on a conservative estimate make up the total of original and transferred accommodation, elasticity and interchangeability in the use of insti- tutions become matters of great importance. Another important practical point, which has a bearing on adequacy and standards of accommodation for the sick, is the varied use to which some of the transferred institutions are being put. A good deal of excellent hospital provision is devoted to the care of aged infirm persons and chronic sick due to a variety of permanent ailments. In a recent survey of accommodation it was found that over 25 per cent, of the hospital beds were so occupied, while at the same time the winter demand for the treatment of acute cases led to over- crowding of the hospital wards. Cases on the borderline between health and invalidity are numerous, and the solution of this problem of classification is far from easy. Many aged and infirm could be accommodated in institutions other than up-to-date hospitals. As regards the more chronic infirmities, classification is more difficult, and a too abrupt separation as between acute and chronic sick is to be avoided. Again, the question of adequacy of hospital accommodation is closely bound up with the possibilities of home treatment of the sick poor. A too free use of accommodation for minor ailments or for affections which could be nursed at home tends to limit the usefulness of hospitals. It is more than likely that an improved outdoor medical service associated with a domiciliary nursing scheme will become an essential auxiliary and will in turn materially conserve hospital accommodation. A scheme of this kind appears to be essential to the efficient and economical conduct of the general medical work of the local authority. There also arises the very important question of the mutual rela- tions to be established with the voluntary hospitals. Co-operation is now very close in many respects, and will undoubtedly become still firmer as experience may determine. These and other questions, such as the clinic in association with the hospital and its function as a diagnostic centre, the comprehensive training of nurses, medical research, and other matters, are engaging attention, but it is pre- mature to refer to them in any detail at this stage. School Medical Inspection and Treatment.—The scheme provides for administrative unification of the medical services in respect of school children with those of the maternity and child welfare branch