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The average duration of residential treatment given by the
London County Council in 1935 to 304 adults was 20.6 weeks. The
average duration of residential treatment given to 38 children by
the London County Council in 1935 was 21 weeks. This refers only
to those who began treatment in that year. Many of these patients
will remain in institutions during varying periods of 1936 —some
will probably remain the whole year. The ultimate averages are
therefore to be reckoned as considerably higher. It should be
remembered that a good many patients took their discharge before
completion of treatment, thereby reducing the possible averages.
The Work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
In 1935 the Care Committee took part in the Scheme of the
National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, for the
sale of Christmas Seals. After deduction of expenses amounting
to £50 10s. 9d. the Committee had a surplus of £177 16s. 8½d.
towards its work.
The Secretary of the Care Committee has compiled the following
figures and items of information in relation to some of the work
in 1935:—
129 cases were helped in their application to the Public
Assistance Committee. Thus patients received money, food, extra
diet, clothes, etc.
9 cases were assisted in their application to the British Red
Cross Emergency Fund.
14 cases were assisted in their application to the United
Services Fund.
The Care Committee assisted the London County Council in
making arrangements for the institutional treatment of 342 patients.
Efforts were made to settle all difficulties that threatened to bring
patients home from sanatoria too soon.
Co-operation took place with the Charity Organisation Society
in 5 cases and with the Invalid Children's Aid Association in
63 cases.
The Committee co-operated with many families in which there
was a tuberculous member by endeavouring to obtain new homes
for them on the housing estates of the L.C.C. and elsewhere.
Patients were advised on question concerning their employment.
Many patients were helped from private sources, for example,
in the way of clothing, boots, beds, etc.
To a large number of patients personal help in discussing
difficulties was given in addition to the above.
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