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I am indebted to the Tuberculosis Officer at the Edgware
Chest Clinic for the following observations
"The total number of patients on the Clinic register
increased during the year 1948 from 1,531 to 1,561 after
taking into account transfers into and out of the area,
patients recovered and lost sight of and those who died.
During the year the already long waiting time for
admission to Sanatorium was increased, special difficulty
being experienced in the case of children, where the waiting
time was approximately seven months. Similar
difficulty was found in arranging admission for
orthopædic cases, also suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
The long waiting period for admission to sanatorium
threw a great strain on the housing problem, where
patients with positive sputum were being nursed in close
contact with children, in overcrowded conditions; but cooperation
between the housing department and the clinic
alleviated this unsatisfactory situation as far as possible.
An increasing number of home helps were required
during the year, and there was also a greater call on the
District Nursing Service.