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Health Information Bureau
As in previous years the Health Information Bureau continued to deal with
the varied enquiries coming daily into the Department. The Public make good use
of this Bureau and are provided with on-the-spot help and information.
2,500 copies of the 1963 edition of the Health Service Guide were printed and
distributed. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of personal
and environmental health, welfare, national health insurance, etc., affecting Hammersmith residents. The British Council alone distributed copies to interested people
in Bolivia, Norway, U.S.A., Argentina, Mexico and Brazilia.
Hospitals
The following hospitals are situated in Hammersmith: —
Hammersmith Hospital, Ducane Road, W.12.
Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, Goldhawk Road. W.6.
Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park. W.6.
West London Hospital, Hammersmith Road, W.6.
Hammersmith Hospital is the headquarters of the Post-graduate Medical
School of London, and also includes the Medical Research Council's Linear
Accelerator and Cyclotron building in connection with Cancer Research and treatment. It also has a large Maternity Section where more than 2,000 children were
born this year. The Royal Masonic Hospital is one of the few remaining private
hospitals. Queen Charlotte's is a maternity hospital with its own Board of Governors, and is the largest independent maternity hospital in the British Isles More
than 3,000 babies of all nationalities were born there during 1963.
Hammersmith Chest Clinic
All aspects of the tuberculosis problem and other chest diseases are dealt with
at this Clinic which is housed at Hammersmith Hospital. The Clinic is closely
linked with the Post-graduate Medical School of London and takes part in the
teaching of post-graduate students. Management of the Clinic is under the direct
supervision of a Consultant Chest Physician, who is also a lecturer in chest diseases
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 is provided for local practitioners who may
send patients for a full consultation if a letter of introduction is produced, or for
an 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 foi
new and follow-up cases, for ambulance cases, for contacts and for anti-tuberculosis
vaccinations. A special Clinic is also held in conjunction with the Department of
Medicine for patients suffering from Chronic Bronchitis.
During the treatment, rehabilitation and re-settlement lof 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 Certified 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 axe treated with modern methods in their own
homes and visited there by the staff of the Chest Clinic. Visits to the Clinic are
arranged if necessary by ambulance and patients are also admitted to the Chest