View report page

95
In short she does everything possible to help the patient and 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 and sees whether the
advice given by the tuberculosis visitor is being followed. The tuberculosis visitor
endeavours to visit each home in her district once in three months but when necessary
visits are paid at shorter intervals.
Outdoor Shelters.—Twelve open air shelters are available for the use of patients
in their own gardens. Nine were in use during the year. No charge is made for
the loan of these.
Home Nursing.—Under arrangements made by the Council cases of tuberculosis
requiring nursing services in their own homes are attended by nurses from the
local Nursing Associations. The Council takes financial responsibility for this
service and the cost during the year was £62 lis. 3d. The number of visits paid
was 1,001. This service is greatly appreciated.
Examination of Home Contacts.—A medical examination is most important in
the case of all contacts either at home or at work and every endeavour is made
to persuade them to submit themselves for this examination. It is unfortunately
often very difficult, but the effort is well worth while and tuberculosis visitors,
when visiting, and the Tuberculosis Officers, when opportunity offers, stress the
importance of this examination. During the year 512 contacts were examined.
In dealing with children, in addition to the clinical examination a Mantoux Intradermal
test is done and if a positive result is obtained the patient is X-rayed. During
the year 238 children had a Mantoux test and the figures show, as in previous years,
that children in contact with a notified case of tuberculosis are much more subject
to infection than where no such contact exists.