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The duties of the Committee were defined to include enquiries as to the
economic position of the family of a patient suffering from tuberculosis as soon as
the patient comes within the purview of the Tuberculosis Dispensary Scheme
with a view to rendering such advice and assistance as the circumstances of the
case dictate; assistance in the provision, where necessary, of clothing as required
by the institution to which the patient is sent, and any arrangements for the
family to be properly looked after during the absence of father or mother; the
securing of auxiliaries for domiciliary treatment which cannot be provided without
charitable assistance; recommendations to the London County Council as to the
amount of payment, if any, to be made towards institutional treatment and the
collection of agreed amounts; advising the Borough Council whether the patients
recommended for extra nourishment are in a position to pay for the same and, if
not, the extent to which assistance should be given; advising the Borough
Council as to the contributions, if any, to be made by patients in respect to the
provision of dentures under any arrangement made by the Council for dental
treatment.
The Annual Report of the Committee is as follows:—
The Committee has met 11 times during the year. The average attendance of
members at each meeting has been 7.9.
Sixty-six cases have been considered—36 new and 30 old cases.
Forty three cases—37 adults and 0 children—were referred to the Committee
for assessment. Twenty-three were recommended for free treatment and 20 were
assessed to pay contributions, varying from 2s. Od. to 20s. Od. per week, towards
the cost of treatment and maintenance; 7 cases were re-considered later, owing
to changes in circumstances, and the assessments reduced. Of these cases 7 were
rejected for treatment by the L.C.C., and one refused to accept treatment.
Contributions towards the cost of treatment and maintenance amounting to
£191. 18s. 3d. were collected on behalf of the L.C.C. in 29 cases—22 adults and
7 children. Six of these were still under treatment at the close of the year. Two
cases were referred to the Official Collector owing to non-payment of contributions.
Ten quarterly reports, on 4 children, were received from the L.C.C. and the
information contained therein conveyed to the parents.
Nine hundred and seventy-eight visits have been paid to patients or their
families during the year, in addition to visits to Societies, Schools, Lady Almoners
of Hospitals, Approved Societies, Believing Officer, Ministry of Health, Ministry
of Pensions, etc., in connection with cases.
As in previous years, the Committee is much indebted to the United Services
Fund and British Legion, the B. R. C. S. Emergency Help Fund, and the Charity
Organisation Society for advice and assistance in various cases.
Two patients were referred to the Borough Council for assistance to obtain
dentures. In one case the Borough Council agreed to bear the full cost; in the
other case part of the cost was covered by the Hospital Saving Association and
the Borough Council agreed to advance the balance, the patient repaying by
instalments.