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Tuberculosis Dispensaries.
51
An important duty of the Committee is to supply patients
going to an Institution with clothing. Many of them are short
of the clothing requirements of the Institution, and it is frequently
a difficult problem to get them fitted out properly. Much time
is spent by members of the Committee in collecting articles of
clothing from their friends, and a certain proportion of the funds
have to be expended in this direction. During 1934 £10 19s 4d.
was expended on clothing, and about 70 per cent, of the cases sent
to Institutions were supplied with the articles required from the
clothing store.
There are always a number of patients in an advanced stage
of Tuberculosis who are being nursed either at home or in one of
the London County Council's General Hospitals, particularly St.
James's Hospital. These cases are visted as often as possible
by the Secretary. Some of the cases which are being nursed at
home are unable to obtain essential articles of medical equipment.
Medical and nursing requisites, comprising air and water cushions,
bed rests and feeding cups have been acquired by the Committee
gradually, and are supplied on loan to necessitous cases who require
them : the cost of medical and nursing requisites and special nourisment
amounted to £9 15s. l0d.
By permission of the authorities of St. James's Hospital,
regular visits are paid to Wandsworth residents suffering from
Tuberculosis who happen to be in the Hospital.
157 of these cases were visited regularly during the year.
Many of these patients are in hospital for prolonged periods, and
the visits are much appreciated. It is often found when talking
to the patients that they are in difficulties over their rent, or insurance
payments, and may be worried by circumstances at their
homes. The Secretary inquires into all matters of this nature,
and is able to assist in smoothing out many of the patients'
difficulties.
During 1934 the number of visits and interviews made by
the Secretary to cases attending the Dispensaries was 1,940.
During the year there have not been so many cases referred
to the various ex-service organisations, as there were fewer exservice
men attending the dispensaries. 15 cases were referred
to these organisations and granted assistance by them.
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