View report page

179
We deeply regret to record the death of Mr. T. Batey, late
Clerk to the London Insurance Committee, who was the representative
of that authority on the Care Committee from the time
of his appointment thereon by the Borough Council in 1922. His
experience particularly in matters relating to National Insurance
made his services of great value.
The work of the Committee in providing clothing for needy
patients, principally those about to enter hospitals and sanatoria,
and for members of their families continued.
The clothing store received a notable gift of articles from the
Botany Bay Women's Institute, the members of which devoted
their efforts during the spring months to the making of knitted
and other articles for this purpose.
It is so frequently the case that the patient is the principal
wage earner, or at least a considerable contributor to the family
funds; apart from the withdrawal of their financial assistance,
inroads are made upon the family resources in aid of the patient,
and the replacement of clothing often becomes a matter of
impossibility. These difficulties are magnified when the patient,
having in mind the serious financial consequences of the cessation
of his earnings, does not seek treatment early, endeavours to
continue his work, and does so intermittently; the family by their
efforts to help the patient are gradually impoverished, and when a
breakdown occurs, are financially almost helpless. It is particularly
in such cases, and also in those where the income may be said
nearly always to be below the poverty line, that the Committee
have been enabled by the generous gifts of the Botany Bay
Women's Institute and others to give needed help.
The Voluntary Fund of the Committee has been of the
greatest assistance throughout the year. This has made possible
the purchase of clothing not in stock, and urgently needed, the
provision of pocket money for destitute patients, the payment of
fares for visitation by near relatives of patients at a distance,
and to meet calls of similar need.
In the matter of the provision of pocket money for destitute
patients undergoing institutional treatment, the Tuberculosis
Officer communicated with the Medical Superintendents of