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and, in necessitous cases, the fares of patients proceeding to Hospitals in, and
around, London. It has also been decided that, in future, no contributions shall
be asked from patients, or from persons legally responsible for them, towards the
cost of dentures or spectacles provided by that Council to patients during the
course of their treatment, other than the amounts that are due to patients from
National Health Insurance or any Benefit Society to which the patients are contributors.
Ordinarily, patients are expected to provide their own clothing, but,
in cases where there is difficulty in doing so, the L.C.C. decided that, as from
the 1st October, 1935, clothing which is certified by the Medical Officer of Health
as necessary to enable a patient satisfactorily to undergo residential treatment
for tuberculosis, and which cannot be obtained in any other way, shall be supplied
by that Council under its Tuberculosis Scheme through its Supplies Department.
Six applications for clothing for patients undergoing treatment were made to
the L.C.C., two patients were supplied with clothing by the British Legion and
United Services Fund Benevolent Department, and in three other cases clothing
was supplied by the Emergency Help Fund of the British Bed Cross Society,
the Personal Service League, and the Welsh Girls' Friendly Aid Society
respectively.
Other assistance has been afforded to our families by the British Legion and
United Services Fund Benevolent Department, the Charity Organisation
Society, and the Society for the Relief of Distress. We also gratefully acknowledge
the gift of 34 coal tickets from the London Philanthropic Society, and
further coal and milk tickets given to us by Councillor Wheatley.
To all Societies and Organisations that have co-operated with the Committee
for the benefit of our tuberculous families we tender our sincere thanks.
Through the generosity of a number of contributors, including several
members of the Borough Council, the Committee was able to obtain nominations
for Christmas Dinners for 42 families through the Polytechnic Distress and
Christmas Dinner Fund, and to make gifts of coal to 20 families at Christmas
time. We can assure all those who assisted us that their gifts were very much
appreciated.
During the year 764 visits have been paid to patients or their families, and
over 100 visits were paid to Hospitals, Societies, Offices, and individuals in
connection with the needs of patients.
Twenty-nine patients, or families, known to the Committee have left the
Borough during the year; five of these were transferred to other Care Committees.
Eight cases were transferred to the Borough from other districts.
Six applications were forwarded to the London County Council for better
housing accommodation. Owing to their financial circumstances and the
conditions of their employment these families could not leave Central London.
All are still awaiting the accommodation they need.
Twenty-one patients known to the Committee have died during the year.
Three died at home, and 18 died in Institutions.
Early in the year the Committee became affiliated to the National Association
for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, and the Hon. Secretary attended the