HH62/2/LANARK/52

Transcription

[Page] 51

It will be observed that this gives exactly the same
number of hospitals as are at present available, with the
important differences that under this scheme they would be
more centrally situated, give more accommodation, and
be under the sole control of the Committee.

--- No.of Beds. --- Population.
Glasford, --- 14 --- 10,000
Larkhall, --- 26 --- 20,000
Blantyre, --- 36 --- 30,000
Bellshill, --- 38 --- 32,000
Airdrie, --- 36 --- 28,000
Shotts, --- 16 --- 12,000
Cambusnethan, --- 14 --- 11,000
[Total] --- 180 --- 143,000

Of the two hospitals belonging exclusively to the Middle
Ward District Committee, that at Bellshill can be utilised
for one of the seven. At present it contains two wards,
having eight beds in each, with an administrative portion.
There would fall to be added to it, in order to make it a
thoroughly good hospital, a new administrative block, and
at least other two wards containing each ten beds.
The other - that at Blantyre - is a substantially-built
hospital, but contains only two wards, capable of accom-
modating twelve beds, although at present sixteen are
placed in these wards. Considering that the hospital in
this part of the district ought to serve for a population of
30,000, it is obvious that extensive alterations and additions
would be necessary; and it is a question whether, owing to
the limited size of the site (about half an acre), and the
more central position of Cambuslang, it would not be
better to build a new hospital nearer the latter place.
In connection with this scheme of seven smaller hospitals
several points have to be specially considered. One is that
they must be so situated as to be able to command the
services of a medical man by day and by night; another
that they ought, for various reasons, to be at no great
distance from a railway station; and a third, that they
must be easy of access by road.
B. - By the second scheme, viz., that of providing larger
hospitals, three would, in my opinion, be absolutely
necessary. Thus, one containing 72 beds might be
built in the immediate neighbourhood of Hamilton for a

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population of 58,000; the second near Wishaw, with 40 beds,
for a population of 32,000; and the third between Airdrie
and Coatbridge, with 68 beds, for a population of 53,000.

--- No. of Beds. --- Population.
Hamilton, --- 72 --- 58,000
Wishaw, --- 40 --- 32,000
Airdrie, --- 68 --- 53,000
[Total] --- 180 --- 143,000

I. - HAMILTON, 72 beds, 58,000 population.
A hospital of this size, and so situated, would provide
accommodation for a population of 58,000, made up as
follows:-
Avondale, --- 5,069
East Kilbride, --- 3,781
Glasford, --- 1,317
Blantyre, --- 11,352
Cambuslang, --- 15,364
Hamilton (landward), --- 6,712
Dalserf, --- 11,325
Stonehouse, --- 3,400
[Total] --- 58,320

So far as I can ascertain, seventy per cent. of the popula-
tion would be within six miles of the hospital; twenty per
cent. within eight miles; while the remainder would be
beyond that radius. The farmhouses situated in Avondale
beyond Strathaven would be the farthest dwellings, two of
them being about fourteen miles distant from Hamilton.

2. - WISHAW, 40 beds, 32,000 population.
The parishes served by this hospital would be as under:-
Cambusnethan, --- 10,626
Shotts, --- 11,957
Dalziel, --- 1,343
Bothwell (part of), --- 8,000
[Total] --- 31,926

With the exception of a large part of Shotts parish the
whole of the population would be within easy distance of
the hospital. Some parts of Shotts parish, comprising the