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Ill
in order to become familiar with the environmental conditions of the patients
in his district, and to enable him to supervise adequately the work of the
Dispensary Nurses: and he should actually visit at least once the home of
each patient, unless he considers that, in the interest of the patients, such
a visit would be undesirable.
During 1920, 291 visits were paid by the Tuberculosis Officer to patients
attending the Dispensary at their homes, and it would appear that the
1 ecommendation of the Ministry in this connection is fairly well carried
cut in Battersea, having regard to the other manifold duties of the
Tuberculosis Officer. These home visits are paid in consultation with
local medical practitioners and to newly notified cases.
Recommendation 13.—Adequate clerical assistance should be afforded to
the Dispensary Staff, and if the ordinary duties of the Dispensary Nurses
do not occupy their whole time, they might render assistance in the clerical
work of the Dispensary. All communications between the Tuberculosis
Officer and the London County Council relating to the treatment of individual
patients should in future be made direct.
The arrangements as to the provision of adequate clerical assistance at
the Battersea Tuberculosis Dispensary appear to be adequate and otherwise
satisfactory, and the suggestions as to sending communications relating to
the treatment or clinical supervision of individual patients direct to the
London County Council is being carried out.
DISPENSARY SCHEME.
After prolonged consideration and negotiation with the Executive Committee
of the Voluntary Dispensary, the Council took over the Dispensary
at 179 Bridge Road as the Tuberculosis Dispensary for the Borough as from
the 1st May, 1921. The arrangements to give effect to this decision have
involved much time and consideration by the Council in relation to the
future of the Dispensary in the Council's scheme for the prevention and
treatment of Tuberculosis. Regard, moreover, has had to be given to the
defects found in the Dispensary service, and to the steps which will have
to be taken to remedy these matters, which have already been set out in
detail in this Report.
In connection, therefore, with the transfer of the Dispensary, the
following matters have required attention :—
(a) Premises and necessary equipment.
(b) Staff.
(a) Premises.—The premises at 179 Battersea Bridge Road, hitherto
known as the Battersea Dispensary for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, have
been acquired by the Council for a three years' tenancy agreement as from
the 24th June last, at a yearly rental of £60, the Council to be liable for
structural repairs.
The furniture and equipment were also acquired at a valuation, after
deduction of a sum agreed upon between the Council and the Voluntary
Dispensary Committee for structural repairs and dilapidations.
The premises are fairly suitable for the purposes of a Tuberculosis
Dispensary, and are centrally situate and equipped with all necessary
requirements.
(b) Staff.—A Medical Officer to be appointed as Assistant to the
Medical Officer of Health and Tuberculosis Officer for the area, the duties
of this Officer being :—
To assist the Medical Officer of Health, and act under his direction
in the general administration of the Tuberculosis Scheme.
To be in clinical charge of the Tuberculosis Dispensary and
carry out the duties of Tuberculosis Officer.