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50 Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1934.
the financial circumstances of patients who are to undergo institutional
treatment. These particulars for 108 cases have been
forwarded since the abolition of assessments.
Patients requiring dental treatment, which is a service provided
by the Borough Council, are still assessed by the Committee
who determine the amount of their contributions towards the
cost.
Soon after the Committee was established it was apparent
that the value of the work it could carry out would be increased
materially if funds were available. As no grants from public
funds were provided, certain members of the Committee decided
to organise a Voluntary Fund. A considerable amount of success
has attended their efforts, and a small fund has been established.
This fund is not intended to assist families in their living expenses,
as other organisations are available to grant assistance of this
nature, but the money collected is utilised to help cases of Tuberculosis
in other ways.
Assistance is given from this Fund to patients who are in
need of convalescent treatment for which they are unable to pay.
All these cases are investigated by the Secretary. Nineteen adults
and one child were sent to Convalescent Homes during 1934,
at a cost of £64 15s. 8d.
Financial assistance is also given to relatives of patients who
have been away under treatment for three months or longer, to
enable them to visit, as it is often found that after that time, the
patient becomes restless and wants to come home. The visit from
a relative often does much good, and the patient agrees to continue
under treatment. These cases are investigated and assistance
is only given where it would be quite impossible for the relative
to afford the fare. The cost of fares paid during 1934 was £2 9s. Od.
Whilst a patient is undergoing Institutional treatment, it
often happens that arrangements have to be made for the care
of children. The Secretary investigates all these cases, and if
she is not satisifed that the children will be properly looked after
by relatives while the mother is away, arrangements are made
through the London County Council and the Invalid Children's
Aid Association for them to be boarded out. The expenses are
met by the County Council.