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35
On commencing duty Miss Lewellin, who succeeded Miss Baird as
Secretary of the Tuberculosis Care Committee, received from me an
outline of her task. I asked her to prepare a little report and to tell
of things as she found them. She is carrying out her task well, as
will be seen from the following
To the Medical Officer of Health:
The work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee and the duties of
the Secretary have been outlined in a previous report. They remain
the same, though with the development of the work their sphere has
become enlarged. In the following report they are touched on
respectively, as far as passible. Actually, the work of the Committee
is so comprehensive that it is hard to define its limitations. The chief
aim and object is to help and advise patients in their troubles and
difficulties, and to make them feel that the Committee is a friendly
body which takes a real and sympathetic interest in their welfare.
The Committee is in close touch with the various organisations jn
the Borough through whom help can be obtained. For ex-service
men and their families the Red Cross Society and the United Services'
Fund are available; for other cases we have the Charity Organisation
Society and the Guardians. These bodies respond most generously to
appeals. Through them, grants for clothing outfits are obtained for
necessitous patients who are recommended for a course of sanatorium
treatment. Beds and bedding, where urgently required in a patient's
interest, are provided, and, in the case of ex-service men, money
grants to meet various emergencies are given. Cases attending the
Dispensary, where treatment is recommended, and it is considered that
assistance of any kind is required, are referred to the Secretary by the
Tuberculosis Officer. The Secretary then visits the home of the
patient, and certain necessary particulars as to environment and
financial circumstances are obtained. These enquiries often bring to
light hardship, which perhaps is not apparent on the surface. Where
necessary the case is put in touch immediately with an appropriate
society, and help is obtained.
Patients and their families are found most appreciative of the
offer of treatment, and of the efforts made on their behalf. Friendly
relations are established between the family and the Secretary, and
the patient goes away with an easier mind, knowing that members of
the family can at any time apply to the Secretary for help and advice