The staff of the Lady Paget Hospital saw to the welfare of military personnel and civilians alike.(MSS 97 Item 56, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware. , Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.)
Over time an uneasy confidence fostered by dependence grew between the British Relief Fund and the Bulgarian Command. The retreating Serbian army destroyed rail lines running in and out of Skoplje, resulting in insufficient supplies for the hospital and civilian populations. The Bulgarian army was unable to move enough medical supplies into Skoplje to effectively treat their wounded and continued to rely almost exclusively on relief agencies, including the Red Cross and the Lady Paget Hospital. Additionally, in the weeks preceding the fall of Skoplje, the city became the final destination for refugees fleeing the war in the east. Those who came to Skoplje as refugees had few, if any, supplies or resources. Appreciating the urgent need for non-medical aid, the Lady Paget Hospital began opperating as a ration distribution center for the civilian population of Skoplje. Though rendering the Bulgarians a great service, problems arose since, “there were many among them [the Bulgarians] who viewed these privileges granted us with annoyance, and though the head officials had the sense to realize that it was to their own interest that the population of Skoplje should be clothed and fed, the discontented minority bitterly resented any help being given to the Serbians.” When yet more allegations of spying and of turning away Bulgarian citizens arose, the Bulgarian Command dealt with Lady Paget reasonably and fairly. She suggested to them that a sentry be placed at the distribution center to ensure that everything that happened there was above board. To satisfy Lady Paget further, Bulgarian Command replaced the officer who had been the instigator of many unfounded allegations. For Lady Paget, this situation was more indicative of the chaos that naturally follows the occupation of a large city with civilian and international elements. The Bulgarians, in Lady Paget’s view, chose to replace the complaining officer as a vote of confidence in the essential services provided by the hospital. In order to retain their confidence Lady Paget met consistently with Bulgarian Command in order to ensure that everyone’s needs were met.
Doctors Beyond Borders: Serbian Relief in 1915 
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