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79
The duties o£ the Committee were defined to include enquiries as to the
economic position of the family of a patient suffering from tuberculosis as soon as
the patient comes within the purview of the Tuberculosis Dispensary Scheme
with a view to rendering such advice and assistance as the circumstances of the
case dictate; assistance in the provision, where necessary, of clothing as required
by the institution to which the patient is sent, and any arrangements for the
family to be properly looked after during the absence of father or mother; the
securing of auxiliaries for domiciliary treatment which cannot be provided without
charitable assistance; recommendations to the London County Council as to the
amount of payment, if any, to be made towards institutional treatment and the
collection of agreed amounts; advising the Borough Council whether the patients
recommended for extra nourishment are in a position to pay for the same and, if
not, the extent to which assistance should be given; advising the Borough
Council as to the contributions, if any, to be made by patients in respect to the
provision of dentures under any arrangement made by the Council for dental
treatment.
The Annual Report of the Committee is as follows:—
The Committee has met 11 times during the year.
Seventy-eight cases have been considered—48 new and 30 old cases.
Fifty-four cases—44 adults and 10 children—were referred by the London County Council
for assessment. Of these, 30 were granted free treatment, and 20 were assessed to pay
contributions, varying from 2s. Cd. to 20s. per week, towards the cost of their treatment and
maintenance. Two patients made other arrangements for their treatment, one left the
district without notice, and one refused treatment. Four cases were re-assessed, owing to
changes in financial circumstances.
Contributions towards the cost of treatment and maintenance, amounting to £115. 7s. 6d.,
were collected on behalf of the London County Council in 29 cases—19 adults and 10 children.
Twelve of these were still under treatment at the close of the year.
Ten Quarterly Progress Reports, on eight children, were received from the London County
Council, and the information contained therein conveyed to the parents.
One case was transferred to the Care Committee of another Borough.
One child was sent away through the London County Council's Contact Scheme. Two
others were recommended, but the parents made their own arrangements for sending the
children away.
Four children were recommended to the Invalid Children's Aid Association for convalescence,
and three of them were sent away. Two patients were sent away for convalescence
through Stafford's Charity, one through the Charity Organisation Society, and one through
the United Services Fund.
Five families were referred to the Charity Organisation Society, and received assistance.
Four were referred to the United Services Fund, and three were assisted. Two were referred
to the Red Cross Emergency Help Fund, one was assisted financially, and the other was
helped with an Appeal to the Ministry of Pensions.
The Holborn Borough Council assisted with the provision of dentures to one patient,
lent bedding to one family, and granted milk to the infant of one tuberculous mother.
Five cases were advised and helped in National Health Insurance matters.
Various efforts have been made to obtain work and improved housing accommodation—
mostly unsuccessfully.
In October the Central Fund for the Industrial Welfare of Tuberculous Persons opened
their first workshop for unskilled labour—the Spero Firewood Factory. At present there is
accommodation for 12 men, and only ex-service men with a disability pension for tuberculosis