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Either the parents can make arrangments directly with their own doctor, the
Council supplying the prophylactic and paying the doctor's fees, or the mothers are
invited to attend with the children by appointment at special sessions at welfare
centres. When the course of injections is completed, every parent is encouraged
to bring the child to a clinic for the Schick test. It is estimated that 78.7 per
cent. of the child population of Woolwich has been immunised against Diphtheria.
Whooping Cough. Immunising injections against Whooping Cough are given
by means of a "family doctor" scheme. During the year, 387 children received
injections, compared with 207 in 1944.
Tuberculosis. The number of primary notifications of Tuberculosis received
during the year was 260, compared with 248 in 1944. The number of persons
examined for the first time at the dispensaries was 1,443. Of these, 241 were
found to be suffering from Tuberculosis. The number of contacts who attended
for examination was 332, and 12 of these proved to be tuberculous. The total
number of attendances at the dispensaries was 6,502, 900 more than in 1944. The
number of patients referred to the dispensaries by medical practitioners was 776,
and by medical boards, 110. There were 1,216 cases on the register on the 31st
December. Visits paid to the homes of patients by tuberculosis visitors totalled
3,742, and by the Tuberculosis Officer, 66. The number of X-Ray examinations
made was 1843, and the number of specimens of sputum examined was 759, of which
93 were positive. Additional nourishment was granted in 99 instances. Seven
patients received dental treatment; 394 patients were admitted to hospital,
sanatoria or training colonies.
In January, the artificial pneumothorax clinic was brought back to St. Nicholas
Hospital from the Seamen's Hospital, where it had been accommodated whilst
repairs to bomb damage were carried out at St. Nicholas Hospital. Clinics were
held regularly throughout the year, on Fridays at 4.30 p.m., and the total number
of attendances was 972. The following is an excerpt from the report of Dr. A.
Wingfield, the Consultant in charge of the clinic:—
"The routine—interview, fluoroscope and refill at each attendance—
has been continued. X-Ray films and blood sedimentation rate are taken
3-monthly, or more frequently if indicated. Aspiration of pleural effusions
is carried out at the clinic when necessary, and 19 such aspirations have
been performed during the year."
Clinics at other London hospitals were attended by 45 patients, who received
822 refills.
Although the payment of maintenance allowances has considerably increased
the work of the dispensaries, the administration of the scheme was efficiently
maintained. On the 1st January, 93 patients were receiving payments ; 79 were
granted an allowance during the year, and at the end of the year there were 109
patients receiving an allowance.