SERIOUS epidemics of diphtheria and scarlet fever in Swindon saw staff at the Isolation Hospital working flat out.

With an additional 28 beds in use, the hospital was functioning under considerable pressure and the toll on the laundry was considerable, dealing with not only the hospitals needs but also those of the Maternity Hospital and the Ogbourne Isolation Hospital.

These facts were presented to magistrates at Swindon Borough Police Court this week when the Matron, Jemima McKinnon Smith, was summoned for displaying unscreened lights at the hospital laundry at 7.10pm on October 25.

Deputy town clerk Mr WN Curtis, representing the hospital, said the laundry was not normally used at night and so had not been properly blacked out. Despite the mitigating circumstances the hospital was still fined £3.