View report page

of Camberwell would not be prejudiced by the transfer of certain existing services
to the new building, I recommend this course. The services referred to are as
follows :—
The Camberwell Municipal Infant Welfare Centre from 140, Camberwell
Road.
The Diphtheria Prevention Clinic from the Mayward House
Municipal Infant Welfare Centre.
The treatment of minor ailments (except ophthalmic treatment and
tonsil and adenoid operations) in children under five years of age attending
infant welfare centres, at present carried out by the L.C.C. on behalf of
the Council at School Treatment Centres in the Borough.
Sunlight and massage treatment of children under five years of
age attending infant welfare centres, at present carried out by the L.C.C.
and the British Red Cross Society on behalf of the Council at St. Giles'
Hospital and the British Red Cross Society's Clinic, 160, Peckham Rye.
I propose to treat each suggested service separately and to furnish as fully
as possible information as to (a) functions of the service, (b) accommodation
necessary to administer the service, (c) technical equipment required and the
approximate cost. I do not propose, however, at this stage to offer any observations
on purely administrative questions apart from references to staff requirements,
both professional and clerical.
Tuberculosis.
In 1936 the Tuberculosis Dispensary was transferred from 19, Brunswick
Square to premises at the entrance to Brunswick Park which were formerly
occupied by the Public Health Department. The Council were aware at the time
that these premises were unsatisfactory as a permanent home for the Dispensary,
and that sooner or later the provision of better facilities for this service would
have to be considered.
The Health Centre Scheme thus affords an opportunity to the Council
of providing improved accommodation for the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
In my opinion a properly equipped Tuberculosis Dispensary should provide
a complete medical and welfare service for the tuberculous, and include all
consultant facilities as are possible in the out-patient department of a hospital
for the diagnosis of tuberculosis of the lungs and other organs of the body, such
as X-ray, tuberculin testing, and if necessary, blood sedimentation rates.
The tuberculous patient should regard the Tuberculosis Dispensary as the
centre in his Borough where he can go with all his troubles for treatment, medical
advice and for a solution of the problems, medical and otherwise, which present
themselves.
Under the existing arrangements X-ray films are taken at St. Giles' Hospital.
While this arrangement is fairly satisfactory there are. nevertheless, many disadvantages
in this Scheme both to the patients and the Tuberculosis Officers.
For example, patients must first attend the Dispensary, then be referred
to the hospital and in many cases re-visit the Dispensary when the film arrives
from the hospital. Patients are accordingly required to make at least two, and
often three journeys, for diagnostic purposes only.
Also, there is often inevitable delay between the time of sending the patient
for X-ray examination and the return of the film to the Dispensary. This is not a
reflection on the X-ray department—it is unavoidable under the present system
owing to urgent X-ray examination requirements of the hospital medical staff.
At the present time, the Council's Tuberculosis Officer conducts an Artificial
Pneumothorax Clinic at St. Giles' Hospital, but only one session a week is possible