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The number of deaths from tuberculosis during the year was eleven, of which ten
were due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
During the year 4,789 persons attended the chest clinic for the first time and
were investigated for various chest conditions.
Of these new patients, 325 were cases of suspected respiratory tuberculosis and
346 were their personal contacts. Fifty-two of the suspected cases were confirmed
and notified while the remainder are still under observation. Two cases of respiratory
tuberculosis were found among the contacts.
Fifty-four cases of respiratory tuberculosis required treatment in hospital.
Twelve cases of non-respiratory tuberculosis were notified.
At the end of the year there were 2,098 patients on the tuberculosis register.
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
Out of an establishment of four tuberculosis health visitors, only two are in
post and although they continue to attend the Edmonton Chest Clinic, the duties
which they formerly undertook in the chest clinic are now carried out by hospital
nursing staff, so that they spend all their time on home visiting in relation to
tuberculous and non-tuberculous patients; a total of 2,753 visits were made to
patients' homes.
The visits were 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. The
medical social worker saw 288 patients in the chest clinic during the year, of which
sixteen were new tuberculosis cases. As well as visiting the chest wards in North
Middlesex Hospital, she also goes to those in Highlands Hospital, so that patients
can discuss their problems and future plans well in advance of their discharge.
The patients are then followed-up in the chest clinic and various required services
are obtained for them. Close touch is kept by the medical social worker with
Council departments and their help was frequently obtained during the year. Special
consideration is given by the Council, as housing authority, to tuberculous patients
with a housing need.
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