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(2) Chest Clinics
One Medical Social Worker remains attached to the Chest Clinics
at St.Helier Hospital and works, together with two Health Visitors
similarly attached, with the Consultant Chest Physicians and the
nursing team. This arrangement originated in the days when Chest
Clinics were the responsibility of Local Authorities and were
dealing in the main with cases of infectious tuberculosis.
Although the content of this work has now changed, the majority of
patients attending Chest Clinics suffer from chronic illness,
in many cases for which there is no cure. Continued social support
is necessary for those who can never become fit for normal life
such as sufferers from chronic bronchitis, cardiac complaints,
tuberculosis and the ever-increasing number of those with cancer of
the lung. Many are too ill or breathless to attend at hospital
out-patient clinics and receive continuous care through home
visiting.
Free Milk
The Borough Council continues to operate a free milk scheme
for those patients who require extra nourishment for medical reasons
which they are unable to provide themselves. 27 (43) such cases
were provided with free milk orders during 1967.
Care Committees
The voluntary care committees continue to give excellent
service to patients who attend the Chest Clinics. The committees
receive reports from the medical social woiker on those patients who
need financial assistance and help is given by the provision of
essential needs which cannot be met from statutory sources.
Assistance towards the cost of holidays, fuel, transport, insurance
premiums, television licences, clothing and many other aspects of
family life which are unable to be met by the disabled patient is
provided. Although the Borough Council makes an annual grant to
the care committees much of their work depends upon the raising of
funds from voluntary sources.
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