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Dr. H J. Trenchard, Physician-in-Charge of the Edgware Chest Clinic has
provided me with the following report on the work of the Clinic during the year:-
"'Edgware Chest Clinic serves primarily an area which includes the Borough of
Hendon and parts of the Boroughs of Harrow and Wembley. The volume of work has
remained high, but there has been some change in the character of the attendances.
More new cases are being referred, while refill treatments on out-patients are
declining in number. In keeping with the general trend for the country, new cases of
tuberculosis are declining slightly, while deaths have decreased markedly. The net
result of this is that there are more living patients requiring supervision. Modern
methods of treatment have lead to a shortening of the average stay in hospital of a
tuberculous patient, and this has been reflected in a shorter waiting time for
admission. The problem with which the medical staff was faced five or six years ago
when a patient might even die while waiting for a bed is no longer with us. The N.W.
Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board has now closed the ward for tuberculosis at
Hendon Isolation Hospital which was administered in association with the clinic.
In addition to the consultative work of the clinic, certain preventive services
of the Middlesex County Council are administered through the Physician-in-Charge.
The Chest Clinic staff includes health visitors and welfare officers of the County
Council. Various surveys have been carried out at local schools by the clinic staff
working in conjunction with the school health service. These surveys have shown a
low level of tuberculinization of the pupils. The chest clinic also co-operated with
the Medical Officer of Health and the Mass X-Ray Unit in a survey of the Watling
Estate which was carried out in the autumn of 1955. It is gratifying to record that
this survey also showed a low incidence of tuberculosis in the area, and suggests
that existing case finding organisation is working fairly well.
Many local people have been referred for X-ray at the chest clinic by their
general practitioners. Certain times of the day are set aside for this type of work
for which the Odelca camera unit is used. The annual X-ray of the chest of members
of the staff of the Hendon Group Hospital Management Committee is also largely
undertaken by the clinic.
The appointments system continues in force, and no doubt saves a great deal of
time for patients attending the clinic. Unfortunately at times, unforeseen circumstances
lead to delays, but on the whole the scheme works well. Considerable discomfort,
amounting to hardship in severe weather, is encountered by patients owing
to the failure of the heating system. It is understood tnat steps are in hand to
improve the supply of heat to the radiators. Che hopes that this will not be long
de layed.
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