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integral Unit. A consultant diagnostic service for all chest diseases
is provided for local practitioners who may send patients for a full
consultation, provided a letter of introduction is produced, or for
X-ray examination only, which is arranged by a special form of
reference. This latter service provides a rapid means of obtaining
a chest X-ray without the formality of being examined by a consultant
or other hospital physician.
In addition to the diagnostic services provided, out-patient
clinics are held for new and follow-up cases, for refills, for ambulance
cases, for contacts and for anti-tuberculosis vaccinations.
A special Clinic is also held for patients suffering from Chronic
Bronchitis.
Attendances at all Clinics, apart from the X-ray only service,
are strictly by appointment only.
During the treatment, rehabilitation and re-settlement of tuberculosis
and other patients, many social and financial problems arise.
To provide adequate help and advice in these circumstances a fully
equipped social welfare department forms an integral part of the
Chest Clinic service. This department is in the hands of a Certificated
Almoner, who is in contact with many statutory and voluntary
agencies through which advice and assistance can be provided.
A comprehensive management scheme for tuberculosis patients
is in operation in the Borough. Suitable patients are treated with
modern methods in their own homes and visited there by the staff
of the Chest Clinic. Visits to the Clinic are arranged as necessary by
ambulance and patients are also admitted to the Chest Clinic beds
for chemotherapy and for major and minor thoracic surgery.
Sanatorium treatment, when this is necessary, is undertaken in
Sanatoria under the auspices of the North West Metropolitan
Region Hospital Board. Such admission can only be arranged
through the Chest Clinic, as is also the case with tuberculosis
patients to be admitted to Hammersmith Hospital.
Personal Health Services.
The County Council remained responsible for the personal
health services, with Dr. B. E. A. Sharpe and Dr. E. M. Cran as
Divisional Medical Officer and Deputy respectively.
Much of the day to day administration of the service was provided
by the Medical Officers of Health for the Boroughs of Chelsea,
Fulham, Hammersmith and Kensington.
The liaison between the staffs of the County Council and the
Borough Council continues on a very happy and cordial footing.