Annual report : 1948/49 / Wigan and Leigh Hospital Management Committee.

  • Wigan and Leigh Hospital Management Committee.
Date:
1949
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report : 1948/49 / Wigan and Leigh Hospital Management Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/44 (page 8)
    INTRODUCTION. 1. The National Health Service Act, 1946, which came into force on the 5th July, 1948, has brought about only small changes in the external appearance of the work of the hospitals and chest clinics in the Wigan and Leigh Group. During the first few months after the appointed day former owning authorities were responsible for certain administrative duties in several of the hospitals, but since the 31st March, 1949, the whole of the administration of the hospitals and clinics was vested in the Committee. 2. The Committee held its first meeting on the I Ith June, 1948, and passed its first resolution as follows :— “That the Wigan and Leigh Hospital Management Committee re¬ cords its profound and grateful appreciation of the magnificent service to the citizens of the area of the Management Committee rendered over many years by :— The Governors, and Management Committees of the Voluntary Municipal and County Hospital Services in the Area ; The public, by voluntary service and generous support of the Hospital Contributory Schemes and local organisations, the Clergy, Ladies’ Linen Leagues, Hospital Visitors, and the Press ; The Medical, Nursing and Administrative Staffs of all the institutions in the area, and appeals for the continuation of all the goodwill efforts and individual support in the future, assuring all concerned that contributions in kind or otherwise will be devoted solely to improving surroundings and comforts of patients demanding the benefit of the Hospital Services.’’ 3. A table is shown on page 36 which gives details of patients treated for the year ended 31st December, 1948 ; this period is shown to coincide with Ministry of Health returns. In all the hospitals in the Group, 13,421 in-patients were treated to a conclusion, while 47,388 new patients paid 217,659 visits for consultation and treatment at Out-Patient Departments and Clinics. 4. Immediate arrangements to staff the new organisation were made, and the Committee has appointed its Secretary, Finance Officer, Supplies Officer and Hospitals Engineer as well as the subsidiary staff required. The headquarters were established at Knowsley House, adjacent to Wigan Infirmary, which premises were previously occupied by the staff of the Hospital Contributory Scheme. 5. The administrative machinery for dealing with the group of hospitals which is now amalgamated into one organisation had to be set up in accordance with the Act, although latitude was given to the Com¬ mittee to make its own arrangements in connection with Committee structure for the administration of the various units. 6. The members of the Committee took an early opportunity of visiting all the hospitals in the group to obtain an overall picture of their responsibilities, and these visits have been of immense value when intricate administrative matters have been considered during the year.