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graduate students. Management of the clinic is under the direct supervision
ofaConsultant Chest Physician, who is also a lecturer in tuberculosis on
the staff of the Post Graduate Medical School.
The Clinic, its associated independent radiography department and 27
beds are housed in the same building and are run as an integral Unit. A
consultant diagnostic service for all chest diseases are provided for local
practitioners who may send patients for a full consultation provided a
letter of introduction is produced or for X-ray examination only which is
arranged by a special form of reference. This latter service provides a
rapid means of obtaining a chest X-ray without the formality of being examined
by a consultant or other hospital physician.
In addition to the diagnostic services provided out-patient clinics
are held for new and follow-up cases, for refills, for ambulance cases, for
contacts and for anti-tuberculosis vaccinations.
A special clinic is also held for patients suffering from Chronic Bronchitis.
Attendances at all clinics apart from the X-ray only service, are
strictly by appointment only.
During the treatment rehabilitation and re- settlement of tuberculous
and other patients many social and financial problems arise. To provide
adequate help and advice in these circumstances a fully equipped social welfare
department forms an integral part of the Chest Clinic service. This department
is in the hands of a certificated Almoner who is in contact with
many statutory and voluntary agencies through which advice and assistance
can be provided.
A comprehensive management scheme for tuberculous patients is in operation
in the Borough. Suitable patients are treated with modern methods in
their own homes and visited there by the staff of the Chest clinic. Visits
to the Clinic are arranged as necessary by ambulance and patients are also
admitted to the Chest clinic beds for chemotherapy and for major and minor
thoracic surgery. Sanatorium treatment, when this is necessary, is undertaken
in sanatoria under the auspices of the North-West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board Such admissions can only be arranged through the Chest
Clinic, as is also the case with tuberculous patients to be admitted to
Hammersmith Hospital.
Personal Health Services
The County Council remained responsible for the personal health services,
with Dr. B.E.A. Sharpe and Dr E M. Cran as Division Medical Officer
and Deputy respectively.
The day to day administration of the services is provided by the Medical
Officers of Health for the Borough of Chelsea, Fulham, Hammersmith and
Kensington.
The liaison between the staffs of the County council and the Borough
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