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71
The following are particulars of the nourishment granted during 1925 :—
Number of patients assisted 3
Number of renewals of grants issued 2
Number of pints Number of
of milk granted. eggs granted.
119 119
Estimated cost to the Council of nourishment granted during the year £2 16s. Od.
Arrangements for " Care " and " After-Care."
A very important branch of the work of the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis is the
"" care " and " after-care " of the patients suffering from this disease.
Prior to the taking over by the Council of the Dispensary service in the Borough, social care
work was carried out by an Interim Tuberculosis Care Committee, composed of ladies interested
in the welfare of sufferers from tuberculosis, and by the Council's Women Health Officers who,
with the Medical Officer of Health, represented the Council on the Committee.
In July, 1922, the Council approved a proposal for the constitution of a Borough Tuberculosis
Care Committee, and this Committee, which commenced its activities in December of that year,
undertook the whole of the " care " and " after-care " work in the Borough.
The constitution and membership of the Committee during the past year were as follow :—
(1) Borough Council—Councillor Mr. J. T. Saunders, Chairman of the Public Health
Committee, Councillor Miss Drysdale and Councillor Miss Hayne.
(2) London County Council—Dr. A. W. Sikes, Divisional Medical Officer and Miss G. M. S.
Paddon, District Organiser of School Care Committees.
(3) Kensington School Care Committees—Miss A. Webster.
(4) Kensington Invalid Children's Aid Association—Miss Burton and Miss M. H. Joseph.
(5) Kensington Charity Organisation Society—Mrs. E. Weber and Miss O. A. Nixon.
(6) Brompton Hospital—Miss L. C. Marx, Lady Almoner.
(7) Kensington Board of Guardians—Lady Mellor.
(8) Kensington District Nursing Association—Miss Gibbes.
(9) Kensal House School—Miss C. D. Clay.
(10) London Insurance Committee—Dr. H. H. Mills.
(11) Panel Committee for the County of London—Dr. A. K. Barrett and Dr. A. S. Herbert.
(12) British Red Cross Society—Mrs. Burne, M.B.E., and Miss Forbes.
(13) British Red Cross Society (Emergency Help Committee)—Miss C. Keeling, J.P.
(14) United Services Fund—Miss M. Pick ton.
(15) Ex-officio members—The Medical Officer of Health, Tuberculosis Officer and two
Women Health Officers.
The Committee have met fortnightly during the year, and the attendance of members has been
well maintained.
The established principles in social service in aiding the patients after close consideration of the
home conditions and financial position, as affected not only by the onset of the disease but during
the course of treatment, whether at home or away from home, and upon return from institutional
treatment, have been carefully followed and in many cases real assistance has been given either to
the patient or to the family or both. This is all the more noteworthy in view of the fact that no
fund is available for this purpose.
It is not possible in this report to detail the many cases in which assistance has been given by
the voluntary visitors. Organised and sustained effort is made in (1) the finding of employment
for patients on their return from sanatoria, (2) the securing of various forms of assistance from the
Board of Guardians and the voluntary associations in the Borough and (3) generally aiding patients
and their families in the many difficulties which occur in connection with sickness benefits, etc.
Every new case of tuberculosis coming to notice is allocated for social welfare purposes to a
member of the Committee, whose duty it is to report as necessary in regard to these patients for the
supervision of whom she has accepted responsibility.
The visiting of adult cases is undertaken on behalf of the Committee by the Charity Organisation
Society through their representatives on the Committee, whilst a similar arrangement exists with
the Invalid Children's Aid Association in regard to children.
In order to secure that no case shall escape routine visitation, a scheme has been evolved whereby
the appropriate care worker is required to submit to the Tuberculosis Care Committee at six-monthly
intervals reports upon all cases which have been referred to her for supervision.
The Committee undertake the work of making assessments for contributions in respect of
hospital or sanatorium treatment and dental treatment, and they also deal with applications for
grants of nourishment.