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A return of the work of the Dispensaries is given in Table No. 56.
Alterations at Maxey Road Dispensary.—During the year the Council had under
consideration the question of modernising the Council's Tuberculosis Dispensary,
as an opportunity was afforded by the fact that other services of the Council were
no longer maintained in the existing building. It was possible by using the existing
rooms, by adding the Caretaker's office and the office formerly used for rate collection
and a portion of the yard and buildings previously used by the Works Department,
to make such alterations as would provide a modern and convenient dispensary.
The Council decided to carry out this work at an estimated cost of £760 and the
plans were approved by the Ministry of Health and by the London County Council.
The work was started before the end of the year.
Home Visiting of Tuberculosis Cases.—On receipt of every notification the
home is visited by the Tuberculosis Visitor, who advises as to any re-arrangement
that seems possible and desirable in the interests of the patient and other members
of the family. In the case of patients notified by the Tuberculosis Officer a visit
is also made by one of the medical staff, who thus gains a knowledge of the home
circumstances of the patient. The Tuberculosis Visitor endeavours to visit each
home in her district once in three months, but, in the case of patients with recent
and more active disease, visits are more frequent.
Work for the Ministry of Pensions.—The amount of work done under this heading
has practically come to an end. In 1933 only 4 reports were made ; during 1934 no
reports were made.
Examination of Home Contacts.—On receipt of each primary notification every
effort is made to induce people living in the same house as the patient to present
themselves for examination. In many cases, however, it is very difficult to persuade
them of the necessity for examination. During the year under review 477 contacts
were examined.