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able to modern methods of treatment and can often be returned home after
they are sputum negative. We require many more beds for such chronic cases
and these beds should be situated in the same Hospital unit as those dealing
with the earlier and more acute cases.
Reference cannot be made to the problem of the chronic sick without
mention of the great need for hostels for these patients. In this area of
London we require hostel accommodation, firstly for those patients who
are ambulant and fit for some types of work, and secondly for those who
are semi-ambulant and unfit for any type of work.
RETURN TO WORK.
Little, if nothing, has been done in this sphere in the last year.In
spite of the 1944 Rehabilitation Act, the Ministry of Labour are still
unable to find work for sputum positive cases,and are not very successful
even with the sputum negative. The increasing difficulties now arising
in the labour market following the end of full employment are aggravating
these problems and it appears that this particular difficulty will increase
in the near future. We still require a sheltered workshop and
re-training centre in this area of London, in order to begin to tackle
this problem.
CONCLUSION.
The problem of tuberculosis is now recognised as capable of solution.
In order to achieve this we must first of all step up our measures to
prevent the disease. This means not only providing Mass Radiography examinations,
but also by raising the standard of living and rehousing the
population. Secondly we must find and treat every infectious patient in
the community