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99
entered as a re-attendance and not as a new case. Under the new scheme
should a non-tuberculous case make a further attendance during the year
he is not to be entered as a new case, but if he attends the following year he
is to be entered as such. This I think accounts for the increase in the number
of new cases; on the other hand tubercular cases attending the Dispensary for
the first time, but who have previously received public medical treatment in
another Borough, are not to be recorded as new cases.
Acting on instructions from the Ministry of Health a further attempt
has been made to reduce the number of patients attending the Dispensary
for treatment. All panel patients, with the exception of those requiring
special treatment, are sent to the panel doctor, while school children who
only require periodic observation are referred to the School Medical Officer.
The number receiving dental treatment is small, but 1 would point out
that attendance at this department is limited to those over school age. I
have previously referred to the difficulty of persuading patients, especially
adults, of the necessity for dental treatment unless they are actually
suffering pain. Moreover, they usually prefer to attend a dentist they know,
although once having attended the department there is no difficulty in
persuading them to attend a second time. Contrary to what one would
expect, children on the other hand do not appear to have the same fear of
the dentist, and the parent's sanction is seldom refused; they are, of course,
referred to the school treatment centre.
The most important function of the Dispensary is as a consulting centre,
and it would appear, from the steady rise in the number of patients sent to
the department by the local practitioners, that it continues to increase its
usefulness in this direction.
In conclusion I would like to thank the Medical Officers of Health, the
Hospital Physicians and Surgeons, the Resident Medical Officer, and
the Hospital Secretary for their valuable help and advice, and the Dispensary
staff for their efficient work and loyal support.
(Signed) H. TYLFORD HOWELL.
28th February, 1927.