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57
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the co-operation and practical help
given by various voluntary organisations.
Eight cases referred for convalescence by the Tuberculosis Officer were dealt
with as follows :—
3 cases were arranged for through the Invalid Children's Aid Association.
2 ,, ,, ,, Guardians.
1 case was ,, ,, ,, Jewish Board of Guardians.
1 ,, ,, ,, by a Member of the Committee, the father's
ments being supplemented by a grant from the United Services Fund.
1 case could not be dealt with as the parents refused to allow the child to be
vaccinated.
The Charity Organisation Society has—
Provided beds in two instances—thereby enabling the patients to sleep
alone and so reduce the risk of infection to others.
Arranged convalescence for one child—thereby making it easier for the
mother to enter hospital.
Organised a maintenance allowance to one household—thereby enabling
the principal bread-winner to accept treatment.
The cases of four ex-service men who were undergoing treatment, were
referred to the Pensions Department of the Headquarters of the British Legion.
The British Legion represented these men at the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, and
in each case a 100 per cent, award was granted. Two of the men died soon after
their cases were heard.
The British Red Cross Society Emergency Help Fund assisted two of these
men and their families; pending their appeals. This Fund also helped one exservice
pensioner and his family to remove to a cottage in the country.
Two hospital letters—one for Brompton Hospital and one for Victoria Park
Hospital—were obtained for patients for whom the L.C.C. could not provide
suitable vacancies.
Promises of admission to Homes for the Dying were obtained for two patients,
but in both cases the patients died at home. At present the L.C.C. is unable to
provide accommodat'on for advanced hopeless cases, and the waiting lists for
admission to the few existing Voluntary Institutions which admit this type of
case are very long. There is a great need for more accommodation for this plass
of patient, if possible, within easy reach of the patient's home, so that relatives
can visit. In many cases it is quite impossible to overcome the prejudice to
entering a Poor Law Infirmary, which is the only alternative, at present, to the
patient remaining at home and infecting the household.
H. M. MATHIESON,
Hon. Sec. (pro tern.).
Home Nursing for Tuberculous Patients.
During the year the Public Health Committee again had under consideration
the desirability of provision being made for nursing tuberculous patients in the
Borough, and the Council, on the recommendation of the Public Health'