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24
As far as possible the Tuberculosis Care Committee confine the grants to patients requiring
temporary assistance, chronic cases of poverty being more suitable for relief by the Guardians.
Particulars of nourishment granted in 1923:—
Number of patients assisted 8
Number of renewals of grants issued 7
No. of pints of
milk granted.
No of packets of malted milk
granted.
No. of eggs
granted.
476 8 56
Total estimated cost to the Council of nourishment granted during the year £7
This expenditure is approved by the Ministry of Health and ranks for the Government grant of
50 per cent.
ARTIFICIAL PNEUMOTHORAX TREATMENT.
Artificial pneumothorax treatment, which can only be adopted at a well-equipped hospital,
is occasionally recommended in order to stay the progress of somewhat advanced disease.
This treatment is carried out for Kensington residents at the Brompton Hospital at a cost of
10s. 6d. for each administration. Treatment is given fortnightly in the early stages, and thereafter
less frequently as the case progresses, the whole period of treatment generally occupying about two
two years.
The ordinary poor patient cannot, of course, afford this treatment and, in order that he shall
not be precluded from its benefits, the Council have undertaken to bear the cost in suitable cases.
When the Lady Almoner of the Hospital considers that a patient is unable to pay, she asks
the Council to accept financial responsibility. These applications are placed before the Tuberculosis
Care. Committee who investigate the home conditions and financial circumstances and
make appropriate recommendations to the Public Health Committee.
During the year the Council have agreed to pay for treatment in three cases. In two of
these, refunds will be obtained from the Ministry of Pensions, the patents being ex-service men in
receipt of pensions in respect of their disability due to tuberculosis. The estimated net cost to the
Council for the year under review is £9 2s.
THE BOROUGH TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE.
The Care Committee have met fortnightly during the year, and the attendance of members
has been well maintained.
The established principles of 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 the family or both. This is all the more noteworthy in view of the
fact that no fund is available for this purpose.
Much time is devoted to a careful assessment of contributions in respect of hospital or
sanatorium treatment and dental treatment.
Applications for grants of nourishment, usually milk and eggs, have come before the Committee,
and the recommendations made to the Public Health Committee have received sympathetic
consideration.
The Officers of the Committee have remained unaltered, viz.:- Chairman, Councillor Miss A.
Carthew ; Vice-Chairman, Councillor Miss M. H. Joseph; Secretary, Miss F. C. Hargrave.
The following changes have been made in the membership of the Committee:—
(1) Councillor Dr. H. Robinson, J.P., Chairman of the Public Health Committee, took
the place of Councillor Miss C. Keeling, J.P., late Chairman of the Public Health
Committee, as a representative of the Council, on 1st November. Councillor Miss
C. Keeling remained a member of the Committee, having been appointed to
represent the Emergency Help Committee of the British Red Cross Society
(Kensington Branch).
(2) Miss G. M. Burton has taken the place of Dr. E. F. Hatton as a representative of the
Invalid Children's Aid Association.
(3) Miss L. C. Marx now represents Brompton Hospital in the place of Miss A. Moses.
As the result of resolutions adopted by the Council, the Committee have been further
strengthened by the welcome addition of representatives of the British Red Cross Society, the local
Panel Committee and the United Services Fund.
The constitution and membership of the Committee at the end of the year was as follows:—
(1) Borough Council—Dr. H. Robinson, J.P., Chairman of the Public Health Committee,
Councillor Miss M. H. Joseph, Councillor Miss M. Drysdale and Miss R. F.
Alexander.