London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Kensington 1924

The annual report on the health of the Borough for the year1924

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3.—In appropriate cases, recommendations are made to the Public Health Committee
that grants, usually consisting of supplies of milk and eggs, be made for periods not
exceeding 28 days.
4.—If a renewal of the grant be desired, a further medical certificate must be submitted
and any alteration in the circumstances of the case is reported by the Health Officer to the
Care Committee.

As far as possible the Tuberculosis Care Committee confine the grants to patients requiring temporary assistance, chronic cases of poverty being more suitable for relief by the Guardians. Particulars of nourishment granted in 1924:—

Number of patients assisted10
Number of renewals of grants issued13

No. of pints of
milk granted.
No. of eggs
granted.
581
525
Total estimated cost to the Council of nourishment granted during the year £13 7s. 6d.
This expenditure is approved by the Ministry of Health and ranks for the Government grant of
50 per cent.
ARTIFICIAL PNEUMOTHORAX TREATMENT.
Artificial pneumothorax treatment, which can only be adopted at a well-equipped hospital,,
is occasionally recommended in order to stay the progress of somewhat advanced disease.
This treatment is carried out for Kensington residents at the Brompton Hospital at a cost of
10s. 6d. for each administration. Treatment is given fortnightly in the early stages, and thereafter
less frequently as the case progresses, the whole period of treatment generally occupying about
two years.
The ordinary poor patient cannot, of course, afford this treatment and, in order that he shall
not be precluded from its benefits, the Council have undertaken to bear the cost in suitable cases.
When the Lady Almoner of the Hospital considers that a patient is unable to pay, she asks
the Council to accept financial responsibility. These applications are placed before the Tuberculosis
Care Committee who investigate the home conditions and financial circumstances and
make appropriate recommendations to the Public Health Committee.
During the year the Council agreed to pay for treatment in six cases, and the estimated
net cost is £35 3s.
THE BOROUGH TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE.
The Care Committee have met fortnightly during the year, and the attendance of members
has been well maintained.
The established principles of social service in aiding the patients after close consideration of
the home conditions and financial position, as affected not only by the onset of the disease but
during the course of treatment, whether at home or away from home, and upon return from
institutional treatment, have been carefully followed, and in many cases real assistance has been
given either to the patient or the family or both. This is all the more noteworthy in view of the
fact that no fund is available for this purpose.
Much time is devoted to a careful assessment of contributions in respect of hospital or
sanatorium treatment and dental treatment.
Applications for grants of nourishment, usually milk and eggs, have come before the Committee,
and the recommendations made to the Public Health Committee have received sympathetic
consideration.
The Officers of the Committee have remained unaltered, viz.:—Chairman, Councillor Miss A.
G. E. Carthew; Vice-Chairman, Councillor Miss M. H. Joseph; Secretary, Miss F. C. Hargrave.
Upon the retirement of Miss R. F. Alexander, Miss J. C. Magee was appointed by the Council
as one of their representatives on the Committee.
The Committee lost by death the valuable services of Miss R. Marwood who was one of the
representatives of the Kensington Invalid Children's Aid Association. The vacancy was filled by
the appointment of Miss G. A. Home.