View report page

25
The Dispensary was formally opened on November 3rd by the Sanitary Committee
of the Corporation. It is situated in the Out-patient Department of St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, in rooms set apart by the Governing Body for that purpose, and is carried on
separately from the usual work of the Hospital. It is administered by the Public
Health Department of the Corporation, so that the work is co-ordinated with the public
health work of the City. A medical officer has been appointed for the clinical work
and the assistance of the honorary staff, as well as all the resources of the Hospital, are
available for diagnosis and treatment.
The Dispensary is at the present time open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12.30 to
2.30 p.m.; but persons unable on account of their work to attend at these times are seen on
Thursdays between 6 and 7 p.m. Residents in the City and non-resident workers
therein are eligible, whether insured under the National Health Insurance Act or not.
In all 36 persons presented themselves (17 were residents in the City and 19 were
non-resident workers), and these made a total of 84 attendances. These figures only
relate to the period November 4th to December 31st.
Negotiations have been opened between the Corporation and the London Insurance
Committee with a view to the latter body making a contribution towards the expenses
incurred.
In the next report fuller details of organisation and administration will be
submitted. For the present it will suffice to state that the work is progressing
smoothly and rapidly increasing.
The following is the scheme as it has finally been adopted and approved by the
various public bodies concerned:—
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.
ADOPTED SCHEME to Provide Treatment for Cases of Tuberculosis occurring among
Persons resident in the City of London and Non-Residents who are Employed in the
City of London.
1. The treatment of cases of tuberculosis affecting persons resident in the City of London
and non-resident workers to be undertaken at St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
2. The treatment of patients under this Scheme does not include residential treatment.
3. The hospital will, in addition to providing facilities for the treatment of patients suffering
from the various forms of tuberculosis, arrange for the examination of suspected cases and contacts.
See Meno No. 1 below.
4. For the above purposes the hospital will arrange:—
(a) That the full resources of the hospital shall be available for therapeutic and
diagnostic purposes.
(b) That a suitable room shall be provided in which patients shall be received.
(c) That a medical man who would require the approval of the Local Government
See Meno No.2 below
Board, shall be placed in charge of the work, and that he shall also perform the duties as
set out below.
(d) That a nurse shall be specially delegated to help at the dispensary and also visit
patients at their homes, and in addition perform such duties as are set out below.
(e) That the services of the honorary staff shall be available when the Medical Officer
in Charge requires additional professional advice and assistance and
(f) That the necessary drugs, dressings, or other necessities for treatment, shall be
provided by the hospital.
(1.) These will only represent contacts and suspects actually engaged in work in the City, and not
relatives at home.
(2.) Not necessarily a whole-time man, but the Officer appointed shall not be engaged in general practice.