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(excluding milk) and other facilities for the relief and re-habilitation of patients under
the guidance of the Chest Physician (Kingston and Richmond) and his staff. A special
scheme was introduced by the Surrey County Council for the provision of milk.
Whereas the Middlesex scheme of extra nourishment and the Surrey Scheme for the
provision of free milk is confined to persons suffering from tuberculosis, the facilities
provided by the Care Committee are available to all chest cripples.
Since the 1st April, 1965, the schemes initiated by the former Middlesex and the
Surrey County Councils have continued, but there were obvious reasons why such
services should be uniform throughout the Borough in addition to being simple and
flexible. At the end of the year, active consideration was being given to the Barnes
and Richmond Chest and Tuberculosis Care Committee undertaking all after care
facilities within the Borough, in conjunction with the Chest Clinics concerned, not only
for the tuberculous, but for all chest cripples. Other chronic respiratory diseases are
slowly replacing respiratory tuberculosis in its demands upon all the after care facilities
of the Borough.
The domiciliary supervision of the tuberculous in the Twickenham, Teddingtan
and Hampton areas of the Borough is carried out by Tuberculosis Health Visitors from
the Hounslow and Ashford Chest Clinics. In Barnes and Richmond this aspect of the
work is undertaken by a special health visitor for the purpose (see page 24 — Health
Visiting).
Hostel for Homeless Tuberculous Males
The 16 place hostel for homeless tuberculous males at 11, Rosslyn Road, Twickenham,
was transferred to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames from the
former Middlesex County Council, consequent upon the re-organisation of London
Government as from the 1st April, 1965.
This hostel was originally set up by the former Middlesex County Council under
Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946 for homeless tuberculous males
who were fit for discharge from hospital but because of their medical condition could
not find other accommodation in the community. With the gradual reduction in the
number of tuberculous patients requiring this type of accommodation the scope of the
hostel has been extended to accommodate all types of chest cripples in need of
"sheltered" accommodation.
The places at the hostel are available to other local authorities, subject to the
authority concerned being prepared to accept financial responsibility for maintenance
charges.
On the 1st April, 1965, there were eleven persons in residence. During the
remainder of the year there was one admission, one discharge, and one death. At the
end of the year, arrangements were in hand for further admissions.
The hostel is staffed with a resident warden and assistant warden, who have been
employed in that capacity at the hostel since it opened in October, 1951. There is also
provision for adequate domestic staff, but considerable difficulty is experienced in
obtaining suitable staff to work in a hostel of this nature.
I am indebted to Dr. R. Heller, Chest Physician, and Dr. Mcintosh of the Hounslow
Chest Clinic for their continued support and close co-operation in the running of
the hostel. Every applicant is assessed by the chest clinic medical staff as to suitability
for admission. The chest clinic is always available to the warden for advice and
assistance, and the hostel is visited regularly by a tuberculosis health visitor and a
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