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family may be gravely reduced. There would also seem to be need for
revision of the conditions of the scheme in cases where the patient is
the main breadwinner while not being the householder. Difficulties
also arise in the case of students and others who, not having given up
remunerative occupation, are not covered by the conditions of the
scheme although there is still need for the allowance and there is prospect of work later. There remains also the great drawback that the
benefits of the scheme are restricted to those in whose case there is the
prospect of a return to work. It is extraordinarily difficult to explain
to these unfortunates why they are ineligible and it sometimes indeed
has the anomalous effect of sending them back to work when they are
quite unfit. Moreover, it is often difficult for the Tuberculosis Officer
to foretell what is going to be the condition of a particular patient possibly twelve months later in a disease where prognosis is particularly
difficult and which is full of surprises both favourable and unfavourable.
Payments of allowances are made at the Dispensary—an arrangement which is much appreciated by the patients and which has proved
to be advantageous to the dispensary staff, providing as it does an
opportunity for explanation and enquiry.
In effect, the scheme, although capable of improvement, has been
found of great benefit and, while it has meant a considerable increase
in the work of the Dispensary staff, no great difficulties have been
encountered in its working, and arrangements with the Borough
Treasurer for payments and with the London County Council's Assessment Officer have given every satisfaction.
The administration of the scheme for the six months July to
December, 1943, involved the presentation of 153 new cases and the
number of cases reviewed was 237; it also necessitated 380 interviews with
patients or their relatives and the sending of 565 letters. During the
six months in which the scheme was in operation the Borough
Treasurer disbursed £2,207. 7s. 6d. to 113 patients, in addition to which
various small sums were paid out by the stewards of LC.C. institutions.
Extra nourishment was provided during the financial year ended
31st March, 1944 for 28 necessitous dispensary patients at a cost of
approximately £133.
The number of new patients attending at the Dispensary was 958.
Of these 721 were discharged as "non-tuberculous," 188 were found to
be suffering from the disease and 49 were still under observation. The
total number of attendances during the year was 6,452. Home visits to
the number of 3,722 were paid (335 by Tuberculosis Officer and 3,387
by nursing staff). 186 patients received institutional treatment, the
average length of stay being 78 days.
The Handicraft Class was held on 49 occasions during the year with
an average attendance of 8.
Cancer.—227 deaths of Battersea residents were recorded.