View report page

LADY ALMONER.
The work of the Lady Almoner is varied and arduous, and
shows no sign of decreasing. She visits the homes of patients
who are away in sanatoria or convalescent homes, and arranges
for the supply of extra nourishment on the recommendation of
the Tuberculosis Officer ; altogether 717 visits were paid during
the year. She is also responsible for the loan of shelters, beds,
bedding, bed-pans, air rings and other similar articles of invalid
furniture. Much of her time is taken up in arranging holidays or
periods of change in convalescent homes for contacts of tuberculosis
cases. By the kindness of the Mayor, Councillor S. R.
Weightman, 33 children were sent to the seaside this year ;
holidays were also arranged for a number of other children and
women. Articles of clothing were supplied to 60 patients during
the year, and a large number of other patients were assisted in
various ways. It is part of the work of the Almoner to assist
patients to find employment, and a good deal of time is occupied
in this endeavour, unfortunately but with scant success. In
addition to these duties she interviews various mothers who are
recommended for admission to Fairby Grange and receives
payments for the first week's stay there. Another duty performed
by the Lady Almoner is in connection with the supply of Insulin
to diabetic patients ; she supplies the Insulin to such patients
and visits them in their homes. She also acts as Infant Protection
Visitor under the Children's Act, visiting the homes in which
foster-children are received in order to see that foster-mothers
comply with the conditions of the act. In some of these activities
help is received from voluntary sources, and thanks are due to
the Bermondsey United Charities, the Rotherhithe Consolidated
Charities, the British Red Cross Society, Queen Alexandra Rose
Day Fund, Queen Mary's Needlework Guild per Lady Ludlow,
the Friends of the Poor, the Charity Organisation Society and
the Invalid Children's Aid Association for help in various ways.
PUBLIC HEALTH (PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS)
REGULATIONS, 1925.
It was not found necessary to take any action under these
Regulations in 1935.