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Tuberculosis Dispensaries. 41
(c.) Provision of open air shelters. (Three such shelters—
the property of the Borough Council—have been in almost continuous
use during the year).
(d.) Removal of patient to friends and relatives in the
country.
(e.) The care of children and of the home during the absence
of the mother or housewife.
(/.) The provision of financial assistance to the family or
patient.
When a patient is accepted by the London County Council
for treatment in a residential institution under the Council's
Scheme, the Care Committee investigates the financial circumstances
of the family in order to determine what sum can be contributed
by the family towards the cost of the treatment. During
the year the Committee has undertaken the assessment and
collection of contributions in the cases of 403 patients (adults
and children), the amount collected and remitted to the London
County Council being £751. The amounts of such assessments
are subject to the approval of the County Council.
In addition to the patients visited by the Tuberculosis Visitors,
33 advanced cases have been visited regularly at their own homes
by members of the Care Committee. Medical and Nursing
requisites, e.g., water beds, air and water cushions, bed rests,
feeding cups, etc., have been acquired by the Committee gradually,
and these articles are provided on loan to necessitous cases. Mrs.
Glanville, on behalf of the Committee, has kept in touch with the
Dispensary patients in St. James' Hospital, Balham. 63 of these
cases have been visited regularly during the year, and such visits
are greatly appreciated by the patients.
Articles of clothing have been supplied to patients in need of
it ; especially to the patients about to enter residential institutions.
Further efforts were made during the year to raise funds for
the maintenance of beds for advanced cases of tuberculosis at St.
Columba's Hospital, Hampstead. Through the instrumentality
of Mrs. Nicol, the " Streatham New Players " Amateur Dramatic
Society gave performances at the Congregational Church Hall,