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45
Contacts
The numbers of contacts of cases of tuberculosis dealt with at
chest clinics has fallen nearly 12% from the 1968 level. The positivity
rate in this group has risen to 37.5% as compared to 28.5% in 1968.
1269
1968
Number skin-tested and read 130 147
Number found negative 81 105
Number given BCG vaccination 79 108
Number found positive 49 42
MASS RADIOGRAPHY
As in previous years, the South West and North West London Mass
X-ray services continued to provide chest X-ray facilities for the
borough at their centres in the Western Hospital, Seagrave Road, S.W.6.,
and 285 Harrow Road, W.9.
In addition to the operation of these two centres, mobile units
made numerous visits to large establishments within the borough.
PREVENTION OF ILLNESS. CARE AND AFTER-CARE
Chiropody
Staffing difficulties have continued and despite all efforts to
improve the situation, the chief chiropodist has remained the only fulltime
member of staff in this service. A number of sessional chiropodists
have been employed to fill the remaining four full-time posts on the
establishment and as the majority of them have been able to continue
regularly, the overall situation, while not entirely satisfactory, has
been more stable than in previous years.
It is, in any event, convenient to employ some sessional staff as the
demand from the areas served by each of the smaller clinics, at Westbourne
Grove, Earls Court Road and Walmer Road, does not justify any one of them
being there on a full time basis. There was, however, a slight increase
in demand in the Walmer Road area, and here it was possible to provide
clerical assistance for the chiropodists, an arrangement which enabled
their sessional loading to be increased, effecting an equivalent of nearly
two additional weekly sessions without any increase of chiropody staff,
A number of factors have hindered progress with the proposed new
clinic at the Violet Melchett Centre, Flood Walk, S.W.3o. but the indications
are that it will open early in 1970.
The arrangements begun in 1968 to provide a service for former patients
of the Chelsea School of Chiropody were continued. The chiropodist in
private practice carried out an average of 14 to 15 treatments weekly and
from the beginning of May transport for 10 or 12 selected patients to the
new premises of the School in 18 Saraford Street, N.W.8., was provided
weekly instead of fortnightly.