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Medical Arrangements for Long Term Immigrants
Although these arrangements are largely concerned with the detection and
prevention of tuberculosis, the work involved is carried out by the health visitors
and is described on page 13.
Welfare
The medico-social work undertaken at the chest clinics is integrated with the
hospital almoning service. Nowadays, most tuberculous patients return to their
employment after a few months' treatment. Special consideration is given by the
Council as a housing authority to tuberculous patients with a housing need.
Occupational Therapy
This service, which offers a wide range of handicrafts, is provided by the
hospital authorities for selected patients who are referred by the chest physician
for guidance and training.
Rehabilitation
The Tottenham Rehabilitation and Sheltered Workshop was established in
1948 to make available rehabilitation through training, and subsequent sheltered
employment, to tuberculous patients who were fit for part-time or full-time employment,
though severely disabled by tuberculous chest disease and who were therefore
deemed to be unfit to take their place in open industry without the likelihood of
relapse.
The scheme has been approved by the Ministry of Labour, under the Disabled
Persons (Employment) Act, 1958, for training selected patients to become journeymen
cabinet makers.
During the training period patients are paid training allowances by the Ministry
of Labour, and on completion of training they are appointed to the establishment.
Out of an establishment of 52 places, 16 were occupied by Enfield persons at the
end of 1965.
The Council's powers permit the admission of suitable patients to colonies such
as Preston Hall and Enham Alamein, but the need has not arisen.
Hostels
The Council is empowered to provide hostel accommodation for homeless
tuberculous persons. Two persons were resident at a hostel for homeless tuberculous
men provided by the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames at Twickenham,
at the end of the year.
Mass Radiography
The Mass Radiography Unit 5D of the North West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board paid two visits to the Borough during the year, stationing the mobile
units on 22 different sites.
A total of 17,309 persons were X-rayed and 207 of these required further
investigation. Only 12 persons (0.07%) were found to be suffering from active
pulmonary tuberculosis and a further 69 showed some signs of the disease.
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