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Tuberculosis, and was advised to accept Sanatorium treatment.
He was, however, averse to this as his sick club benefit had then
expired and his National Health Insurance benefit was his sole
source of income, and this was being reduced to disablement rate
within two weeks. His wife was unable to work and he had one
child at school, and his youngest child was suffering from
Tuberculosis.
He was an ex-service man and the Committee took up the
matter with the United Services Fund, who granted immediate
financial assistance, and also provided the patient with some
necessary articles of clothing. An allowance for extra nourishment
was given to him by the Borough. Council whilst he was waiting to
go away, and an early vacancy was obtained for him. Financial
assistance has been granted during the whole of the time the patient
has been away, so that he has been enabled to complete his treatment without undue anxiety.
J.P., aged 39. Had received sanatorium treatment previously,
and had been able to resume work, but his health broke down
again and he was urged to accept institutional treatment. His only
income when he gave up work was 7s. 6d. National Health Insurance
benefit. His wife was at work, but she was only able to earn 23s.
per week. There was one dependent child. The total income was
above the scale under which the Public Assistance Committee
could grant relief, but it was impossible for the wife to carry on,
and keep the rent and insurances, &c., paid. She had also to pay
for the care of her child during the time she was at work. The
patient was in need of suitable clothing, also his wife was unable to
give him sufficient nourishment. The Council granted extra nourishment whilst he was awaiting a vacancy. The Care Committee
obtained suitable clothing for him, arranged for the child to receive
dinners at school, and also gave a grant towards the care of the child
during the father's absence. The man was thus enabled to complete
the treatment recommended and he resumed work on his discharge.
D.M., aged 25. This woman, who was suffering from Tuberculosis, began to lose ground after her return home from Sanatorium
treatment. She had friends in Somerset who were willing to have
her to stay with them for a period of three to four months, but she
had been unable to accept their invitation as she could not afford
the railway fare. The Committee, after enquiry into the family
circumstances, agreed to grant half the railway fare and to advance
the balance, leaving the parents to repay the loan by small weekly
instalments. The patient remained away for fifteen weeks, and her
case was transferred to the local authority for continuance of
treatment, and she returned having derived great benefit from
the change.
M.B., aged 42. This patient had been in an institution for a
considerable time, suffering from Tuberculosis, and it was eventually
found impossible to retain her, and she was discharged to her home.
Her parents were old age pensioners, and the only son at home was
their main support. The patient's only income was derived from