View report page

170
Staff engaged on Tubcrculntsis Work.
The Borough Council staff specially engaged in work directly
conneoted with Tuberculosis consists of the following:—
(1) The Medical Officer of Health, who is the Administrative
Tuberculosis Medical Officer.
(2) The Clinical Tuberculosis Officer, who is also the Assistant
Medical Officer of Health.
(3) Tuberculosis Nurse.
(4) Assistant for Care Work (part-time).
(5) Clerk.
The Tuberculosis Nurse visits all newly-notified cases and informs
them of the Dispensary facilities. She also, where necessary, obtains
information as to the financial circumstances of the family. Where
any financial difficulties are anticipated the case is referred to the
Assistant for Care Work and to the Care Committee. If they are
suitable cases they are urged to attend the Dispensary. The Clinical
Tuberculosis Officer and the Nurse also make periodical visits to
patients on the Dispensary register who are unable to attend. In
addition, the Clinical Tuberculosis Officer visits bedridden patients and
also makes himself personally acquainted with the home conditions of
the majority of patients. Medical Practitioners are invited to send
their cases to the Dispensary for consultation and advice. If patients
are too ill to attend, they are seen at home.
The Tuberculosis Death rate in Hampstead.
It is matter for great satisfaction that the tuberculosis death-rate
for Hampstead is so low, being 41 per 100,000. I am unable to compare
this figure with that of other districts as such statistics are not
yet available. In 1937, the rate was 40 per 100,000 population:—33
in respect of pulmonary and 7 non-pulmonary tuberculosis. That was
the third lowest rate in England and Wales. If pulmonary tuberculosis,
only, is considered the death-rate is lower in but three rural
Counties.
There are many factors which may influence this low death-rate.
First of all, Hampstead has a small working-class population, the
majority of the inhabitants being very well housed. Overcrowding is
at a minimum. Similarly, there are relatively few insanitary houses
or damp basement dwellings in occupation. The standard of living of