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83
We have discussed this matter very fully with the Medical Officer of Health, who, in
the first instance, suggested that two women for each half of the Borough would be
sufficient for the duties referred to. Upon reconsideration, and in view of the fact that the
women inspectors could also carry out temporary duties which are often required at the
maternity and child welfare centres, and so save the expense of engaging temporary health
visitors (there being three of these at the present time), we are of opinion that, in addition to
Miss Bibby, the present six women inspectors, who have been in the Council's service for
periods of from six to thirteen years, should be utilised, three for each half of the Borough.
It should be mentioned that Miss C. Smith supervises the Council's Dental Clinic, and
Dr. Sowden suggests that she should retain this work as well as taking her part in the
visiting duties.
There are two vacant positions on the women sanitary staff which have not been filled,
one vacancy that occurred about a year ago and the other quite recently. By the adoption of
the foregoing proposals it will be unnecessary to fill these vacancies.
We recommend—
(a) That Miss M. E. Bibby be designated as Senior Woman Sanitary Inspector,
her duties to be such as may be assigned by the Medical Officer of Health.
(b) That the duties as proposed in the foregoing report be allocated to the women
sanitary inspectors and health visitors as may be arranged by the Medical Officer of
Health, and that Miss C. Smith do retain her present duties in connection with the
Council's Dental Clinic.
Tuberculosis.
4.—The report of the Medical Officer of Health on this subject is as follows: —
" This clinical work is at present done at three dispensaries: Oakley Square, Maiden
Road and University College Hospital. I suggest that all patients should be
seen at the dispensary in Oakley Square. The dispensary at University College
Hospital is a joint one with the Borough of Ilolborn, and I understand that
this Authority does not propose to continue the arrangement. The question,
therefore, of other accommodation must be considered. With regard to Maiden
Road, patients are seen there on Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening
only, the numbers are small, and all patients have to come to Oakley Square to
bring their sputum for examination, and also have to come there to obtain their
medicine. It would, therefore, seem to be in the interest of the patients to
examine them at Oakley Square, and so avoid the additional journeys. The
present Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Donnelly, deals with all cases at Oakley Square
and Maiden Road ; but he would not be able to see the additional cases transferred
from University College Hospital. The Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Hilton, at
University College Hospital, gives half-time service only, and this includes both
Ilolborn and St. Pancras cases. The services of a quarter-time officer, therefore,
would be sufficient for St. Pancras cases. If we had the services of a Male
Assistant Medical Officer of Health who was experienced in tuberculosis work,
that officer could easily give the quarter time necessary, as the work at present
done by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health by no means fully occupies
that officer. By this reorganisation a further saving of from £500 to £600
per annum would be effected. Another advantage would also result during the
period of annual leave : one officer could act as locum tenens for the other during
that period and effect an additional economy."
We are of opinion that the dispensary treatment of tuberculosis for the whole of the
Borough can very well be concentrated at the St. Pancras Dispensary, 39, Oakley Square,
where the Council have the full-time use of a part of the premises.