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62
form has been devised, and this is prepared monthly for the Public
Health Committee.
In last year's Report, the Dispensary work was described by
Dr. Donnelly. It is proposed this year to discuss the duties of the
Secretary and the work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
Miss Baird, Health Visitor, was appointed the first Secretary to the
Tuberculosis Care Committee. One cannot dissociate a statement as
to her duties from the Committee's work ; the publication of these
may be useful, as there are very few other stipendiary Secretaries in
this country.
Reports re cases in sanatorium or nospital are sent periodically to
the Secretary, dealing with children ; Miss Baird submits them to the
meetings of the Deptford Tuberculosis Care Committee.
Sometimes circumstances arise which make it desirable that a report
on an adult patient should be obtained for the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
In such cases the information is obtained from the London
County Council.
Assessments. Where a patient is recommended for Sanatorium
treatment, the Secretary visits the home and ascertains the financial
circumstances.
In certain cases no assessment is made.
(a) Where in the case of an insured person who is the head of the
family, and whose income is the main support, the family income
would be sensibly reduced.
(b) An ex-service man in respect of whom the Ministry of Pensions
will defray the cost of treatment.
In other cases the Tuberculosis Care Committee weigh the income
and circumstances of each family carefully, then assess accordingly.
Concerning children, the assessment made is about equivalent to
the cost of maintaining the child at home, provided the circumstances
appear to justify the same.
Future Employment of Returned Cases.
With unemployment rife amongst healthy men, one can understand
what a difficult task it is for the Care Committee to find suitable
occupations for those whose working capacity has been reduced by
Tuberculosis.