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17
(b). Tonsils and Adenoids.
As previously stated, 313 children were referred for treatment
on account of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Of this number,
78 were operated on at the Hounslow Hospital under the arrangements
made by the Authority in 1921, 74 received operative treatment
by private arrangements of the parents, and three cases
received non-operative treatment. The actual number treated
during 1931 is therefore 155 out of 313 referred for treatment,
making nearly 50 per cent., compared with 42 per cent. in 1930,
40 per cent. in 1929, and 25 per cent. in 1928.
Our methods of arranging treatment remain the same as in
past years. A child must be referred for treatment by one of the
Medical Officers and the parents are then given an application form
on which they are asked to state details of their income and outgoings,
number in family, etc. As soon as this form is completed
and returned, it is forwarded to the Education Secretary who fixes
the amount the parents shall be asked to contribute towards the
cost of the operation. The parents are then asked to give their
written consent to the operation, and the child's name and address
is sent to the Secretary of the Hounslow Hospital, who makes the
appointment for operation. Every case is specially examined at
the Clinic after the operation.
The Authority pays the Hospital one guinea for each operation.
Towards the end of the year under review the Committee
went into the question of the scales of repayment by parents, and
it was decided that no alteration be made in the existing scales
but that, in assessing the amounts to be refunded by parents, the
amount of rent paid be deducted from the weekly income of the
family. The scale of repayment is as follows: —
Weekly family income per 'head,
after deducting rent. Contribution
Under 8/- nil.
From 8/- to 10/- 5/-
From 10/- to 12/- 10/-
Above 12/- 21/-
In my Report for 1930 mention was made of the difficulties
experienced in dealing with children of members of the Hospital
Savings Association. Parents felt that they were entitled to free
treatment, but the Association would not undertake to pay the
full cost of tonsils and adenoid operations, nor would the local
Hospital accept the Association's vouchers in this connection.