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96
OPEN-AIR SLEEPING SHELTER.
The Council's Open-Air Sleeping Shelter was not
in use during the year. Unfortunately, owing to the
limited space available in the yards and gardens
attached to the houses in the Borough, very littlo
extension of use can be made of this valuable adjunct
to treatment.
PROVISION OF BEDSTEADS AND BEDDING,
AND CLOTHING.
With a view to making effective the advice given
to patients as to separate sleeping, the Tuberculosis SubCommittee
purchased 2 or 3 years ago, five sets of
bedsteads and bedding for loan to necessitous patients.
These articles were frequently used during the year.
Considerable difficulty has also been experienced
by poor patients in providing themselves with the
necessary underclothing and sleeping garments required
for use while in sanatorium. The official view of the
L.C.C. is understood to be that recourse should be had
to charitable agencies to fulfil this need. Unfortunately
experience suggests that charitable agencies are frequently
unable to meet the need, apart from the length
of time taken in enquiries, etc., which has sometimes
involved the loss of a vacancy. In the circumstances
the Sub-Committee decided in 1927 to provide such
garments on loan to necessitous patients. The small
stock then purchased has proved most useful in facilitating
the prompt acceptance of sanatorium vacancies
and the loans have been much appreciated by the
patients.
SANATORIUM TREATMENT.
During the year 157 patients were recommended
to the London County Council for Sanatorium Treatment,
and 129 of them were sent away for such treatment.
Eight patients failed to take advantage of the