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Vaccination against Tuberculosis
The Council's scheme provides for vaccination with B.C.G. (Bacillus Calmette
Guerin) of persons who are contacts of tuberculosis, long-term immigrants, school
children and students attending establishments for further education.
During the year, 3,485 persons were vaccinated. Vaccination of contacts is
carried out by the staff of the chest clinics, and of others by the medical staff of
this department. A further report on B.C.G. vaccination appears in the section of
this report devoted to the School Health Service.
OTHER SERVICES
Loan of Nursing Equipment
The local branch of the British Red Cross Society operates a scheme for the
loan of nursing equipment on behalf of the Council. The Society collects a small
hire charge from the patient to offset the cost of replacement of equipment when
necessary. If a patient is unable to meet the hire charge, this is paid by the Council
which also arranges transport where required. During the year 3,465 items of
nursing equipment were lent to patients under this scheme, including 308 wheelchairs
and 40 hospital beds.
The electric hoist and ripple chair seat provided in 1966 for a severely
paralysed patient continued to be needed by the same patient.
Loan of Bed Linen
To supplement the laundry service for incontinent persons, bed linen is available
on loan to those who might otherwise be unable to take advantage of the laundry
facilities.
Incontinence Pads and Clothing
The Council makes free provision of incontinence pads to suitable cases at the
request of general practitioners and home nurses. Four hundred and four patients
were supplied with 51,780 pads during the year. In the newly built tall blocks of
council flats facilities for disposal by incineration are provided.
Protective clothing in the form of waterproof pants and knickers with disposable
linings are available free of charge for persons who are incontinent by day but are
not confined to bed and who need this service. Thirteen patients were provided
with this service.
Chiropody
This service is provided partly by the direct employment of chiropodists by
the Council, and partly by arrangement with voluntary organisations whose expenditure
on chiropody is reimbursed by the Council.
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