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89
Report of Tuberculosis Officer—continued.
Co-operation with the Medical Profession. Co-operation with
medical practitioners continues on the same lines as hitherto. Of
the new cases attending the Dispensary, 130 were sent by
doctors.
186 reports on "Z" cards were made to doctors regarding
panel patients. In addition, numerous letters were written to
doctors and hospitals about patients.
Consultations with medical practitioners. The number of
consultations between practitioners and the Tuberculosis Officer
continues to increase. In many cases the practitioner does not
meet the Tuberculosis Officer, but asks the latter to visit the
patient and let him know his opinion later. The Ministry of Health
now limits the term " Personal Consultations " to those cases in
which the practitioner attends and consults with the Tuberculosis
Officer at the patient's bedside.
Visits to Homes. As the Health Visitor who sustained an
accident in 1932 has not been able to resume full duty, it was
necessary to continue the services of the part-time Visitor so
that satisfactory home-visiting was obtained. The number of
visits paid by the Health Visitors was 5,822 compared with
6,170 in the previous year. Reports are made on the undermentioned
points respecting home conditions, contacts, etc.:—
(a) Whether any assistance seems needed for the patient
or family, and action taken, such as reference to the Secretary
to the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
(b) The health of Contacts, and whether they will attend
the Dispensary for examination or go to their own doctors.
(c) The extent to which the patient is taking care to
prevent the spread of infection by following the advice given.
(d) The sanitary condition of the home, defects reported
and action taken to abate nuisances.
In general, the aim has been to concentrate not only on the
patient but on the family to prevent infection, to see that early
disease is detected, and to improve home conditions from the
sanitary and economic viewpoints.
197 of the new attenders were referred by the Council's staff.