London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Paddington 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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The Borough Tuberculosis Care Committee.
During 1929, the constitution of the Tuberculosis Care Committee was as follows:—
| Paddington Borough Council | Councillor Mrs. R. M. Drury (Vice-Chairman). |
| ,, „ | Dr. H. B. Morgan. |
| ,, ,, | Dr. G. E. Oates, Medical Officer of Health. |
| ,, ,, | Miss L. M. O'Kell, Sanitary Inspector. |
| Miss I. L. Buckledee, Sanitary Inspector. | |
| British Red Cross Society | Miss A. V. Edden. |
| Charity Organisation Society | Mrs. G. S. Warren. |
| „ ,, | Miss P. Bethell. |
| Insurance Committee | Miss R. Russen. |
| Invalid Children's Aid Association | Miss Liddiard |
| London County Council | Dr. A. W. Sikes (Divisional Medical Officer). |
| ,, ,, | Miss D. Whitmore (District Organiser of School Care Committees). |
| Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary | Dr. R. S. Walker (Tuberculosis Officer). |
| ,,„ ,, | Nurse C. Griffin. |
| „ „ ,, | Nurse A. B. Munro. |
| „ „ ,, | Miss D. B. Trayler. |
| Paddington and St. Marylebone War Pensions Committee | Mr. S. G. Last, J.P. (Chairman). |
| Kensal House School Care Committee | ,, ,, ,, |
| ,, „ „ | Miss F. Alston. |
| Paddington and St. Marylebone District Nursing Association | Miss Bennett. |
| Paddington Board of Guardians | Miss H. C. Davidson, |
| Panel Committee | Dr. J. J. Gibb. |
| St. Mary's Hospital | Dr. A. B. Porteous (Tuberculosis Officer). |
| „ „ | Sister M. M. Lee. |
| ,, ,, | Miss E. M. Wetherall (Lady Almoner). |
| United Services Fund | Miss M. M. Barthorp. |
| ,, „ | Mr. J. E. Bennison. |
| Local Social Worker | The Hon. Miss E. C. Godley. |
| Paddington and St. Marylebone Employment Committee | Mr. A. E. Goss. |
The Medical Officer of Health continued to act as Honorary Secretary to the Committee,
an allowance of £50 per annum being allocated to certain members of the clerical staff for
clerical assistance.
The social work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee is ancillary to the work of the Public
Health Committees of the Borough Council and London County Council in the sphere of the
prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. The principal duties Derformed are :
(1) The assessment of patients' contributions, who are receiving institutional treatment
at the hands of the London County Council.
(2) The co-ordination of the various agencies which can be invoked to assist patients and
their dependants.
No funds are available in the hands of the Committee for the assistance of patients.
The Committee met on 22 occasions during the year, and the attendance of members
was well maintained. Two hundred and eighty-three individual cases were considered.
Residential treatment was granted by the London County Council to 166 patients, 27
of whom were children under the age of 16 years. In each instance the financial circumstances
of the patient were carefully considered by the Care Committee, and a
recommendation was forwarded to the County Council as to whether free treatment should
be granted or a contribution assessed. Of the 166 patients, 120 received free treatment,
the remaining 46 patients, or their parents, paying contributions varying from 2s. 6d. to
£1 a week. Payments are collected by the Committee and transmitted monthly to the
County Council. During the year a total of £340 18s. Od. was dealt with in this
manner.
It not infrequently happens that after a case has been assessed, a revision of the rate
of contribution is rendered necessary owing to a change in the circumstances of the family.
During 1929, 9 assessments were revised in amount by the County Council on the recommendation
of the Care Committee, and in 2 further instances payments of the contributions
were excused for stated periods.
Typical examples of the help rendered by the Committee in connection with the social
welfare part of their work have appeared in previous Annual Reports. During 1929, the
Committee were able to arrange for assistance in the form of clothing, extra nourishment
or monetary grants to be given to 21 patients, or their dependants, by various charitable
organisations, including the Charity Organisation Society, the United Services Fund, the
British Red Cross Society, the British Legion, the Royal Naval Benevolent Society and
the Distressed Widows' Fund Several patients were helped to find suitable employment,
and action was taken on behalf of others with a view to obtaining settlement of difficulties
connected with the payment of insurance benefit.