Chairman's appeal to Jewish World, October 1904

TO THE EDITOR OF “THE JEWISH WORLD.”

Sir, The North Eastern Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, Bethnal Green, in the midst of some of the poorest districts of London, is in danger of being compelled through lack of sufficient support to close half of its wards at the end of December. A new building, increasing the number of beds from 57 to 114 was completed (and brought into use) in 1903 at a cost of £37,000, all but £9,000 of which has been obtained.

This scheme has received the full approval and generous financial support of King Edward’s Hospital Fund. The pressure on the enlarged hospital has continued to be very severe, and the beds are always full. The ordinary annual expenditure, formerly £6.500, has been increased to £11,000. The receipts, however, have unfortunately remained almost stationary, and a debt of £4,000 has already been incurred through the increased expenditure on maintenance. In view of the debt of £4,000 on the new building, the Committee feel that the time has come when the increase of liabilities should cease and they have decided with great reluctance to withdraw 57 of the beds from use at the end of December unless adequate assistance can be obtained in the meantime.

The disorganisation and general inconvenience resulting from such a step can only be fully appreciated by those concerned in the management of similar institutions, but all can realise the suffering that would be caused in this crowded neighbourhood by the withdrawal of any hospital accommodation, more especially at this time of unusual distress. Never before in the history of the hospital have wards been closed for want of funds, and we earnestly hope that the public will remove the necessity for so calamitous a step by subscribing liberally to the special fund opened for the purpose.

Cheques, &c., crossed “Barclay & Co., Ltd.,” should be sent to the Secretary at the hospital.

We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,
AMHERST OF HACKNEY, President.
WILLIAM CECIL, Chairman.
Oct. 25, 1904.