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The Dental Clinic is held as usual. 12 patients made 21
attendances-
Artificial Pneumothorax.
The number of patients undergoing pneumothorax therapy is
increasing and during the year 509 refills were given by the
Tuberculosis Officer at St. Alfeges Hospital. By arrangement with
the Hospital, patients who are working and cannot attend the
afternoon clinic are treated by the Hospital staff.
Grants of extra nourishment (milk) were made in 14 cases at
a cost of £52. to patients not in receipt of the Social Welfare
Assistance or Maintenance Allowance. The closest co-operation is
maintained with the Social Welfare Officers who have dealt very
generously with patients referred to them by the Dispensary.
The Care Committee met on 4 occasions during the year, but
as in previous years, emergency matters were dealt with by the
Chairman and Tuberculosis Officer, and reported later to the
Committee. The Chairman pays a weekly visit to the Dispensary for
this purpose. The Committee were keenly interested and very
helpful in re-starting the Christmas Seals Campaign which owing
to war conditions had been allowed to lapse for 5 years. A sum
of £32. 12.6, was realised by the sale of seals during December
1943. A detailed statement of matters affecting the Handicraft
and Christmas as Seals Funds is presented to the Committee at the end
of the financial year, but briefly it may be stated that these
funds are used to purchase material for the Handicraft Class, to
assist needy patients by paying fares to enable their relatives
to visit them it sanatoria, to purchase clothing etc.
Handicraft Class. Owing to War Damage in 1940, the Handicraft
Hut could" not" be" used, but in August this year the Class was
restarted with 14 members. Unfortunately, owing to the illness
of the teacher (Mrs.. Clark) and the difficulty in obtaining material,
it had to be abandoned after a few meetings. Several of the
member" however are carrying on at home. Arrangements are in
hand for the class to commence again in the Autumn.
Tuberculosis Allowances. In June 1943, a Government scheme was
introduced to provide maintenance allowances for certain patients
and their dependents. The scheme applies only to patients
suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis who may be expected to
return to work within a reasonable period.
The Tuberculosis Officer decides whether a patient is
eligible from a medical point of view, and an Assessing Officer
from the London County Council decides from the financial side.
The Assessing Officer visits the Disoensary every week
to assess all new cases and renew old ones where necessary.
Details of payments to be made are sent to the
Borough Treasurer each week, and the clerk at the Dispensary
makes the necessary payments to those authorised to receive
them, The first payment was made on July 1st 1943.
During this six months 94 patients received allowances.
The amount paid during this period was £2297. 11. 0."