View report page

85
(f) Health education and propaganda.
In Walthamstow it can be claimed that the closest co-operation
exists in regard to all these measures and has continued with the
Chest Dispensary. All possible help has been received from the
Chest Physician, Dr. Ramsay, and his assistant colleague, Dr. Fearn.
Reference was made in the 1948 report to the priority given
to the rehousing of the tuberculous and to Dr. Ramsay's "work
clinics" in co-operation with the Resettlement Officer.
Dr. Ramsay has kindly contributed the following observations:—
"The work of the Chest Clinic has continued on much
the same lines, though there have, of course, been changes in
administration under the Health Act. The Regional Hospital
Board and local Hospital Management Committee are now in
control of the clinical side of the work, while the Local Health
Authority has to deal with prevention, care and after-care.
This means that the staff team is now divided between the
three authorities. It is still necessary, however, for the work
to be centred on the clinic, and this is achieved by a close
liaison with the Borough Health Department and the maintenance
of the status quo as regards all members of the staff
continuing to work at the clinic. If any separation had been
attempted, many difficulties would have arisen and the agreed
arrangement can be regarded as satisfactory.
"One of the most important fields for co-operation with
the Health Department is in rehousing. There are certain
criteria, agreed with the Housing Department, on which
priority may be given on health grounds. In practice there
is of course the usual limitation on what can be done, as the
result of the continuing shortage of accommodation. Nevertheless,
a useful contribution has been made by the rehousing
of cases in particularly bad home conditions.
"The full implications of recent legislation as regards the
tuberculosis service are not yet clear. There is a danger that
it might break up into two separate compartments and suffer
thereby. This can be avoided if, as in this area, there is a
mutual understanding and full co-operation between the clinic
and the local Health Department."
Miss A. Woolgar, Secretary of the Walthamstow Association
of Tuberculosis Care Helpers, contributes the following report on
the work of the Association :—
"The work of the Association has continued smoothly
throughout the year. Contrary to general expectations, there
has been no decrease in the number of applications, for assistance
in spite of the help now available through the Social
Insurance schemes.