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116
A circular letter has also been received from the Ministry of Health,
addressed to Local Authorities and Tuberculosis Joint Committees, dated
3rd November, to the effect that (inter alia) in existing financial circumstances
estimates should be furnished before the 15th December next, with
a statement setting forth the provisions to be made by the Council for the
treatment of Tuberculosis during the ensuing financial year, and emphasising
the importance of the accuracy of the estimates and the necessity for
economy.
With reference to Dispensaries, the circular letter goes on to state that
no extension of the Dispensary Services is expected during the coming
financial year, and that, with the fall in prices, a saving should be secured
in the expenditure of this branch of the service, especially in regard to the
expenditure on drugs.
It is further notified that only in the case of development of the Scheme
already approved by the Ministry should the expenditure show any increase,
and that, as compared with the present year's expenditure, there should bj
a saving; and in any case, when an increase in the expenditure or rate
of expenditure is shown, an explanation must be furnished.
The suggestions of the Ministry have received full consideration in the
preparation of the estimates for the Battersea Tuberculosis Dispensary
Service.
In the preparation of the Estimates for 1922-3, now submitted with
this Report, it will be noted that there is a slight increase on the estimate
for 1922-3 as compared with the current estimate. This is accounted for
mainly by:—
1. Increase in salaries and wages of staff as compared with those
paid by the Executive of the Voluntary Dispensary.
2. An increase of staff by the appointment of an additional Nurse
approved by the Ministry.
3. Specialised and Dental Services.
DENTAL SERVICE.
The provision of dental treatment for Tuberculosis patients in the
Tuberculosis Dispensary Scheme is a matter of great importance, and steps
should be taken as soon as possible to provide facilities for this purpose.
No difficulty will be found in extending the service provided by the Council
under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme for the needs of patients
attending the Tuberculosis Dispensary, and provision has been included
in the Dispensary estimates for this service.
AFTER CARE.
The question of After Care in relation to the Dispensary Tuberculosis
Scheme is of great importance, and the Council have already appointed an
After Care Committee, consisting of members of the Council and co-opted
members representing other bodies interested in social and health matters
in the Borough. The duties of a Care Committee are of a most important
character, and include such essential activities as inquiries into the arrangements
and payments for admission to Sanatoria and other forms of residential
institutional treatment, home conditions, cases in need of assistance, etc
The Ministry of Health have intimated that the composition of Care Committees
is under consideration by them, and they will issue instructions
later on the subject.
EXTRA NOURISHMENT.
The Ministry of Health have given notice that they are prepared to
consider applications for the supply of extra nourishment as part of the