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It must be stressed that tuberculosis remains a serious disease and that the
present level of general improvement in its control and prevention in this country,
whilst encouraging, affords no justification for complacency.
Home Visiting
The tuberculosis health visitors employed by the council continue to attend
the Edmonton Chest Clinic.
Their duties are principally concerned with home visiting, but in addition they
perform clinical duties at the chest clinic. Whilst the number of tuberculous cases
requiring domiciliary supervision has declined, an increasing number of patients
with bronchial carcinoma and chronic chest diseases are now seen at the chest clinic
and visits to this type of case form a large part of the health visitor's work. During
1967 the tuberculosis visitors made a total of 4,263 visits to patients' homes.
The visits are undertaken for the purpose of contact tracing, supervision of
persons under treatment, encouraging defaulters to attend clinic sessions, giving
advice on prevention of spread of infection and on facilities available for care and
after-care, and for reporting on the home conditions of patients.
Welfare
The medico-social work of the chest clinic is fully integrated with the hospital
almoning service. Modern methods of treatment are such that many tuberculous
patients are able to 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.
The past year has seen great changes in the structure of social security as
regards tuberculous patients. Patients who have been in regular work receive
earnings related benefit for six months and if they have been diagnosed early, they
are well on the way to recovery before this benefit ceases. For those who have had
a good deal of chronic sickness, special application may be made to the Ministry
of Social Security for an extra nourishment allowance.
Medical Arrangements for Long-stay Immigrants
Arrangements to cover the rather special problems which arise in connection
with the health and treatment of long-stay immigrants to this country were set out
in Ministry of Health Circular C.M.0.1/65. In consultation with representatives of
the medical profession and of local authorities, the Minister decided that the following
steps be taken:
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