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1. Number of patients under treatment or
supervision (excluding persons under observation
or domiciliary treatment) on the 31st
December* 606
2. Total number of attendances of ("Insured 2,071
patients at the Dispensary
during the year Uninsured 4,200
3. Number of persons placed during the year
under observation at the Dispensary for the
purpose of diagnosis 104
4. Number of cases in which the period of
observation at the Dispensary exceeded two
months 30
5. Number of insured patients under domiciliary
treatment on December 31 st† 74
6. Number of reports received from Insurance
Practitioners in respect of insured patients
under domiciliary treatment during the
year 44
7. Number of persons referred to affiliated
hospital for consultation 36
8. Number of consultations with ("Insured 18
medical practitioners at the
homes of patients Uninsured 3
9. Number of other visits paid by Tuberculosis
Officer to the homes of patients 479
10. Number of visits paid by Nurses or Health
Visitors to the homes of patients for
dispensary purposes 1,944
11. Number of specimens of sputum examined
in connection with the work of the
Dispensary 162
* Insured persons under domiciliary treatment by Insurance practitioners are excluded, even though they may attend the
dispensary at intervals for examination or consultation. Such cases are included under Head 5.
† All insured persons in the dispensary area who are actually receiving domiciliary treatment from Insurance practitioners
are included, irrespective of the date upon which they were placed under domiciliary treatment and of any attendance
at the dispensary.
St. Mary's Hospital Tuberculosis Dispensary.
This dispensary is voluntary and was subsidised by a grant of £1,070 from the Paddington
Borough Council for the year 1925.
The following notes on the work of this dispensary have been furnished by Dr. A. B. Porteous,
Tuberculosis Officer.
Accommodation.—This consists of a consulting room with two examination rooms attached,
and a large waiting-room. It is situated in the basement of the hospital, and is in close touch with,
but separate from the other out-patient departments of the hospital. In common with these it
suffers somewhat from lack of light and air.
Staff.—This consists of the Tuberculosis Officer and one sister. The majority of the clerical
work and all the record keeping is done by the dispensary staff, but the lady almoner of the hospital
assists by filling in assessment forms and also in interviewing patients in financial need, in writing
letters re housing repairs, getting patients to convalescent homes, etc.
Times of Sessions.—Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 2 p.m. Thursday, at 6 p.m.
Bacteriological Work.—This is done by the Tuberculosis Officer and consists in examination and
culture of Sputa, and other discharges, pus, etc. Secondary autogenous vaccines are made, guinea
pigs inoculated, etc., as needs require. Complement fixation tests are frequently carried out through
the agency of the Inoculation Department of the hospital.
Co-operation with Borough Council and, its Officers is close. Representatives, i.e., doctor and
sister attend care-committee meetings at the Town Hall, where all difficulties regarding patients
are brought up for consideration. The After Care Committee does most of the work of finding employment
for patients, one of the most difficult problems with which we are faced.
Co-operation with General and Special Hospitals.—This dispensary is at a great advantage in
being attached to a general hospital; the services of consultants are always available during clinic
hours. Patients suffering from ailments other than Tuberculosis can be quickly transferred. The
Eye, Skin and Throat Departments are especially useful.
M. O. 303 cards are used to refer delicate children or contacts to the school clinics. Some children
are sent to cripple schools and some to Kensal House Open-Air School, but a distinct drawback to
the latter is the difficulty of taking and fetching the children, which has prevented several suitable
cases being admitted there.