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107
On receipt of a notification, the Tuberculosis Officer at once
communicates with the notifying practitioner offering his assistance in
dealing with the case, and calling attention to the services the Care
Committee may be able to render the patient and his family.
In all cases where patients are referred to the Dispensary, a report
is sent to the practitioner and, where necessary, arrangements are made
for treatment. 715 reports of this kind have been sent during the year.
Co-operation with Insurance practitioners continues under the scheme,
which has been explained in previous Reports, and close touch with
panel doctors has been maintained by means of the customary forms.
535 reports have been sent to, and 197 received from, panel doctors in
respect of patients having "domiciliary" treatment on 31st December.
(v.) The arrangements for following up patients in cases where the diagnosis
is doubtful.
Cases in which a diagnosis cannot be arrived at after a reasonable
period of Dispensary observation, are referred to the London County
Council for admission to Brompton or Victoria Park Hospitals for further
investigation. Cases of doubtful non-pulmonary tuberculosis are sent to
the London Hospital, as are also a few cases of suspected tuberculosis who
are unable to accept offers of admission to hospital as in-patients. In
other doubtful cases, where admission to hospital is not considered
necessary, arrangements are made for the patient to attend the Dispensary
after a lapse of a suitable period of time so that the case can be reconsidered
.
(vi.) The arrangements for securing the examination and systematic
supervision of " home contacts."
A list of all contacts is prepared by the Health Visitor of the
district concerned, who arranges for their attendance at a convenient time
for examination and, where necessary, re-examination. All contacts of
school age are dealt with in co-operation with the School Medical Service.
464 contacts were examined, 254 being adults and the remainder children.
(vii.) Information as to special methods of diagnosis and treatment in use
and the number of persons to whom these special methods have been
applied.
The X-Ray apparatus at the Dispensary is only suitable for screen
examinations. Where actual photographs are required, cases are usually
referred to the London Hospital for examination and report.