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38
Tuberculosis
The Borough is served by two clinics—
(i) the Harrow Chest Clinic, Station Road, Harrow (Chest Physician
Dr. R. Grenville-Mathers) covering the main part of the district,
and
(ii) the Edgware Chest Clinic, Edgware Hospital (Chest Physician
Dr. H. J. Trenchard) which includes in its catchment area the
small remaining part of the Borough in the Edgware district.
The care and after-care service for persons suffering from tuberculosis
evolved on the Borough as from the 1st April 1965, and following the pattern
already established, the arrangements for this service continued to be
centred on these two clinics, with the physicians being responsible for the
general supervision of the Borough staff and also the general scheme for
the welfare of patients.
The services provided include general welfare, home visiting, occupational
therapy and vaccination against tuberculosis.
Welfare
The advisory services of the Welfare Officer are available to all patients.
This officer is mainly concerned with the many medical-social problems
that can and do arise in households as a result of a case or cases of tuberculosis
ocurring there. Advice on the financial problems of the family, rehabilitation
and training of the patient, arranging recuperative holidays,
extra nourishment, etc.—all evolve on this section.
Home Visiting
The home visiting of patients and the contacts of cases is carried out by
the tuberculosis visitors. During the year, 1951 home visits were made
advising on home care of patients, the prevention of spread of infection,
encouraging known contacts to attend the clinic for x-ray and medical
supervision and generally advising on care and after-care arrangements.
In addition to home visiting, the nurses act as clinic sisters at diagnostic
and treatment sessions in the Chest Clinics.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is arranged for some patients in their own
homes, while others attend classes at the clinic.
B.C.G. Vaccination
Vaccination against tuberculosis (B.C.G.) is offered to contacts of
known cases of tuberculosis, 13 year old school children and students of
further education establishments. The numbers vaccinated during the year
1965 were as follows:—
Contact Scheme 328
School Children and Students 1,655
The total number of persons on the tuberculosis register for the
district on 31st December 1965 was 2,174 as compared with 2,524 on
31st December 1964.