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with not only the diagnosis, but the treatment of cases of the
disease, private beds being available for those who can afford to
pay for them yet are unable to pay for accommodation in a Private
Nursing Home. Some medical practitioners may, however, prefer
to send cases to special hospitals in London. Patients in affluent
circumstances will of course go direct to consultants through their
usual medical attendant.
"For cases coming within the Poor Law provision is made for
diagnosis and treatment at the West Middlesex Hospital, where
there is an X-ray department and where consultants are available.
The Conference of Local Authorities called at the instance of the
Board of Guardians to consider the utilisation of local facilities
for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the area of the Board
recommended that Clinics be established and that the various
Hospitals be asked to co-operate for this purpose.
"At the King Edward Hospital active assistance and hearty
co-operation are offered to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment
to persons residing in the district. The West Middlesex Hospital
could be made available to a wider circle and would thus render a
great service if too strict a line were not drawn as to the financial
position of the patient and if the rule as to cases going in the first
place through the Relieving Officer could be relaxed. I think,
however, that the old prejudice against the Poor Law Institution,
though why this should continue I cannot conceive, will militate
against the utilisation of the West Middlesex Hospital to the
greatest extent, and that the most must be made of the King
Edward Hospital.
"As the King Edward Hospital caters for the district of
Greenford as well as Ealing these remarks on the facilities for
diagnosis and treatment apply also to that area. With regard to
Hanwell in some instances patients may be referred by their doctors
to the King Edward Hospital, but the Hanwell Cottage Hospital
Authorities are prepared to offer all the facilities for diagnosis and
treatment to those residing in their district, the procedure being
practically the same as at the King Edward Hospital. Patients
from Greenford and Hanwell coming within the Poor Law will of
necessity go to the West Middlesex Hospital in the same way as
patients from Ealing.