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105
of the year. In four instances arrears of contributions were cancelled as
irrecoverable; three of these had previously been referred to the Council's official
collector. In the other case the patient had been obliged to leave her husband and
ho refused to support her; she was referred to the Divorce Law Reform Union,
legal assistance was afforded her and ultimately she obtained a decree nisi.
Seventeen progress reports, on eight children, were received from the London
County Council: and the information contained therein conveyed to the parents.
During the year 962 visits have been paid to patients or their families, in
addition to visits to societies, schools, hospitals, Relieving Officer, Ministry of
Health, Ministry of Pensions, etc., on their behalf.
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the co-operation and assistance given
by other organisations and societies, especially that of the British Legion and
United Services Fund Benevolent Committee, the British Red Cross Emergency
Help Fund, the Charity Organisation Society and the Invalid Children's Aid
Association,
Efforts have been made to obtain more suitable housing accommodation for
patients. In all 14 patients have been helped in this way.
Twenty patients known to the Committee have died during the year. Of
these, four died at home, three in homes for the dying, one in a voluntary hospital,
six in London County Council institutions, and six in London County
Council general hospitals.
Convalescence has been arranged in six cases; four were sent away through
Stafford's Charity and two through the Invalid Children's Aid Association.
Arrangements were made for two other children to go away through the Invalid
Children's Aid Association, but the parents failed to let them go; in one case,
however, the mother took the child away herself.
Six children have been boarded out under the London County Council's
Contact Scheme. One baby that had been boarded out at the end of last year
was brought home by the parents contrary to medical advice. The mother, an
advanced case, discharged herself from the institution to which she had been sent
and, though every possible effort was made to try and induce the parents to allow
the baby to remain away, they insisted on having her home.
A holiday was arranged for one ex-patient who had had treatment for nonpulmonary tuberculosis and was in full work. In December, thanks to the
intervention of the British Red Cross Representative, an ex-service man was granted
an award " under special sanction " of 40s. per week plus allowances. Through
the kindness of a friend four necessitous families were supplied with Christmas
dinners. One case was referred to the Borough, Council for assistance for repairs
to dentures; the whole of the amount advanced was repaid by instalments.
Several widows have been assisted with their applications for pensions, many
National Health Insurance difficulties have been cleared up, and a variety of other
odd jobs have been attended to. A difficult claim for an Old Age Pension was
successfully piloted through.