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93
Family casework and problem families
In accordance with the Local Authority Social Services Act, 1970,
the supervision of problem families which had hitherto been undertaken
by the Social Workers (Health Services) was assumed by the
Social Services Department with the exception of four families
who remained under the guidance of the Social Workers attached
to the Health Department.
Chest clinics
The three Chest Clinics in the Borough are Wandsworth, in the
Municipal Buildings; Battersea, in St. John's Hospital; and Balham,
in St. James' Hospital. Most of the patients attending Wandsworth
and Battersea Chest Clinics live in Wandsworth, but many of the
Balham patients come from the adjoining London Borough of
Lambeth.
There is close liaison between the staffs of the Chest Clinics and
the Health Department and there is satisfactory co-operation at
all levels in relation to the prevention, care and after-care of
patients suffering from tuberculosis and other chest conditions.
The medical social worker at Wandsworth Chest Clinic is
attached from Brompton Hospital; the social worker at the Balham
and Battersea Clinics was transferred during the year to the newly
formed Social Services Department but has remained seconded to
the Health Department. The health visitors and the administrative
officers for after-care and preventive work at the three clinics are
attached from the Health Department, so that there are close links
at all levels. In addition, there is good co-operation with the social
workers in the Social Services Department.
Although tuberculosis is no longer a major problem diseases
of the chest—principally chronic bronchitis—continue to figure
prominently as a leading cause of ill-health and disability. There is
thus still the need to help not only tubercular patients in whom the
disease is active or quiescent but also to assist an increasing number
of bronchitics. Closely supporting the work of the medical and
nursing staff are the Wandsworth Tuberculosis Care Committee
and the Battersea Chest Clinic Care Committee, whose activities on
behalf of the patients are set out in their reports. I should like to
thank all members of both Committees for the fine work they have
carried out during the year.
Statistics relating to tuberculosis will be found in Part 3 of this
report.
Dr. J. G. S. McQueen, Chest Physician at the Battersea Chest
Clinic at St. John's Hospital, retired in October after 32 years'
service in Battersea and Wandsworth. The Health Committee and
Council recorded their appreciation of Dr. McQueen's long and
valuable service. Dr. Citron, Chest Physician at the Wandsworth
Chest Clinic, assumed the additional responsibility of Chest
Physician at the Battersea Clinic and consultant for the "chest
ward " at St. John's Hospital.