Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria.

  • Victoria. Commission of Public Health.
Date:
[1951]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/96 (page 24)
    The Chalet, Wangaratta. Visiting Physician : Dr. J. McMiken. During this time there were seldom many unoccupied beds in the Chalet, but I am able to say that very seldom did we have to keep a patient of this district waiting more than one week for admission to Chalet when a bed was required. Having charge of Mooroopna Chalet also 1 was, in cases of urgency, able to find the patient a bed in Mooroopna when the Chalet at Wangaratta was full. Actually the number of beds available is too few for the requirements of the district, but by sending patients from Euroa, Violet Town, and Benalla, and also from \arrawonga to Mooroopna, the requirements have been met to date, although at times with some difficulty. The total admissions were 27 (11 females and 16 males). Discharges were 17 (8 females and 9 males). Deaths nil. (One patient died in male public ward of Wangaratta Hospital some weeks after transfer from Chalet.) Pneumothorax patients were six. On a statistical basis the average stay was about four months, but this does not represent an average figure, as several were admitted and readmitted, others transferred to Heidelberg and elsewhere. When the average stay of 20 patients (who were regularly treated) was worked out, this was just under eight months. During this year streptomycin has been used on nine patients and results have been on the whole pleasing. B-C.Gl. has been used over the last two or more years on all Mantoux negative nursing staff, and to date I have had no cases of active tuberculosis in any inoculated nurse. I have extended its use as far as possible to all children of Chalet patients and the contacts of same, and to all child contacts of known low grade cases (where Mantoux reaction of child still negative). So far amongst these children none has developed tuberculosis. Horsham Chalet. Visiting Physician : Dr. T. Walpole. In this period 16 new patients were admitted to the Chalet. There was 1 death and 10 discharges, including 2 transfers to the Austin Hospital. The average duration of stay of the 24 patients treated during the year was 110| days. Of the patients discharged, 6 are controlled and have returned to a part or the whole of their normal activities. Of the remaining two, 1 was discharged for disciplinary reasons and 1 left at his own risk—neither was adequately controlled. Of the patients transferred to the Austin Hospital, 1 is still awaiting surgical treatment and the other has returned home after thoracoplasty. No artificial pneumothorax was initiated during the year, although 1 ex-patient was twice refilled. Artificial pneumothorax is considered in suitable cases only when other methods have proved inadequate. There has been a steady accumulation of chronic cases in the Chalet. Many of these cannot be expected to recover sufficiently to resume useful activity, and absorb indefinitely about a quarter of the space and nursing available. The visit of Dr. Leslie Williams was very helpful and was appreciated by the patients and staff. Mildura Chalet. Visiting Physician : Dr. J. Bothroyd. There were 20 admissions, 13 discharges, and 3 deaths during this period, and 1 pneumothorax procedure was carried out. The average duration of stay of patients in hospital was 132-17 days. Hamilton Chalet. Visiting Physician : Dr. C. E. Sawrey. For the first month of this period, the late Dr. K. N. O’Donnell was officially visiting physician to the Hamilton Tuberculosis Chalet. Dr. C. E. Sawrey was appointed to the position as from 1st February, 1950. Dr. O’Donnell’s death is recorded with deep regret. To commemorate the work he did for tuberculosis sufferers in the Western District a library and work room is to be added to the Chalet and named after him. Funds for this work have come mainly from public subscription. The Department of Health contributed £500. During the year, Dr. Leslie Williams commenced regular visits to the Chalet, the time interval being approximately four months. These visits are very much appreciated, and the help received in the management of difficult cases is gratefully acknowledged. Statistics. Admissions .. . . . . .. 32 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. 2 Discharges . . . . . . . . . . 22 Remaining . . . . . . . . . . 8 Average stay in Chalet—13 weeks. Number of artificial pneumothoraces and pneumo¬ peritoneums .. . . . . .. 100 Rehabilitation Section. Medical Officer : Dr. J. O’Rorke. In this year, development of the Rehabilitation programme has been along lines indicated in previous year’s report. Again it is preferable to discuss the work in two broad sections indicating progress for the year A. Patients under Sanatorium Treatment. Some thought had been given to the more economic utilization of the “ idle time ” of the Sanatorium regime—Sewing Instruction and additional Occupational Therapy have been provided at Heather- ton Sanatorium. Correspondence courses through the Education Department (Fitzroy School), Melbourne Technical College, and University are now operating in all three Sanatoria, some aiming at general educational improvement and others at Intermediate, Leaving, and Matriculation. A few males are studying accountancy. No patient has been advised to undertake such courses without guidance and this has been possible by the introduction of a vocational guidance service. This facility is available for all patients, but it was felt appropriate initially to make regular visits to the male sanatorium. The team now visits six times monthly. Generally speaking, the patients seen are of the younger age group and comprise those who have been advised medically to change occupations. Ex-schoolboys and apprentices are also helped to choose a job. The team holds a consultative meeting with the Medical Superintendent, and a joint decision on the advice to be given to the patient is made. The team consists of three psychologists, one of whom is an Employment Officer. As a result, the patient is guided into work/training which is appropriate to his health, commensurate with his capability and in which he is assured of regular employment. Such decisions are endorsed by the Medical Superintendent on patient’s history, and a request there made for the patient to consult ' the Rehabilitation Section on discharge. If for employment, he is seen by the team Employment Officer and placed in a suitable job. If for training, another procedure is followed which is described below. B. Post Sanatorium (Bureau) Treatment. The facilities offered by the Rehabilitation Section of the Commonwealth Social Services are utilized for training. Training is conducted through the agency of the Victorian Education authorities in two annexes. In the case of patients seen by the Sanatorium Vocational Guidance team, their findings are accepted