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The duties of the Committee were defined to include enquiries as to the
economic position of the family of a patient suffering from tuberculosis as soon as
the patient comes within the purview of the Turberculosis Dispensary Scheme
with a view to rendering such advice and assistance as the circumstances of the
case dictate; assistance in the provision, where necessary, of clothing as required
by the institution to which the patient is sent, and any arrangements for the
family to be properly looked after during the absence of father or mother; the
securing of auxiliaries for domiciliary treatment which cannot be provided without
charitable assistance; recommendations to the London County Council as to the
amount of payment, if any, to be made towards institutional treatment and the
collection of agreed amounts; advising the Borough Council whether the patients
recommended for extra nourishment are in a position to pay for the same and, if
not, the extent to which assistance should be given; advising the Borough
Council as to the contributions, if any, to be made by patients in respect to the
provision of dentures under any arrangements made by the Council for dental
treatment.
During the year the Public Health Committee considered the desirability of
some revision in the constitution of the Tuberculosis Care Committees, and agreed
with the view expressed by a Conference on Tuberculosis and a number of other
Metropolitan Borough Councils, in favour of the formation of a Sub-Committee of
the Public Health Committee in each Borough, to deal with all matters in relation
to tuberculosis generally, including matters now dealt with by the Tuberculosis
Care Committee.
It was suggested that on such Sub-Committee various persons might be
co-opted, this proposal would tend to co-ordinate and simplify much of the work
connected with tuberculosis and would avoid the possibility of duplicate visits
and enquiries. It is regretted that the Minister of Health was unable to take the
necessary steps to authorise and empower the formation of such Committees.
At the first meeting of the new Holborn Tuberculosis Care Committee Miss
H. M. Mathieson, who for a number of years had acted as Honorary Secretary of
the Interim Committee, was appointed Honoraiy Secretary of the Committee.
Her report for the year follows:—
The Interim Tuberculosis Care Committee met four times and the Tuberculosis
Care Committee six times.
Fifty-four cases have been considered—27 new, and 27 old.
Twenty-one cases were referred by the London County Council for assessment.
Of these, seven cases were recommended for free treatment, and 14 cases
were assessed to pay contributions, varying between 2s. and 30s. towards the cost
of their maintenance while under treatment.
Contributions towards cost of maintenance, amounting to £143 13s. 0d., were
collected on 21 cases, on behalf of the L.C.C.; five of these cases were still under
treatment at the close of the year.
Twenty-four quarterly progress reports, on nine children, were received from
the L.C.C. and the information contained therein conveyed to the parents.