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Medical Arrangements for Long-Stay Immigrants.
Special problems arise in connection with the health and treatment of long'Stay
immigrants to this country. They are often very unfamiliar with our customs and
ignorant of the scope and arrangements of the National Health Service.
It is essential, therefore, to ensure that at an early date they learn how to use the
Health Service and to secure by voluntary action, particularly from those whose
country of origin has a high incidence of tuberculosis, a chest X-ray as soon as possible
after their arrival in this country.
At ports of arrival long-stay immigrants are given a pamphlet, printed in
languages which they are likely to understand, encouraging them to get on the list of
a medical practitioner in their place of residence. They are also asked to provide their
destination addresses so that the Medical Officer of Health of the County or County
Borough concerned can be advised and requested to try and persuade them to act on
the advice given in the pamphlet.
The following table shows the number of immigrants who gave destination
addresses situated in this Borough. All the addresses were visited by Public Health
Inspectors but in 12 cases it was found that the immigrant had not arrived at the
address given. When the immigrant is accompanied by a child the address is visited
by a Health Visitor.