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8
Mass Radiography.
Arrangements were made for the Mass Radiography Unit
to operate at one of the First Aid Posts in the Borough early
in the New Year.
Tuberculosis Care Committee.
This Committee, which meets once a month at 3 p.m., is
constituted of members of the Borough Council, representatives
of authorities and organisation interested in the welfare of
persons suffering from tuberculosis, and ladies and gentlemen
who have a special interest in the work.
Activities of the Care Committee.
Details of the home conditions and financial circumstances
of patients who are to receive institutional treatment are
investigated. The Committee also fix the amounts patients
should contribute towards the cost of dental treatment provided
by the Borough Council.
All persons found to be suffering from tuberculosis are
interviewed by the Secretary who is able to give them advice
and assistance in many directions. She also pays regular visits
to patients who are being nursed at their homes, or in one 'of
the London County Council's general hospitals. 2,400 patients
were visited or interviewed during the year.
The Committee controls a Fund, maintained by voluntary
contributions, from which grants are made to patients who are
ineligible for assistance from other organisations. Assistance)
from the Fund is granted to relatives to enable them to visit
patients undergoing treatment in institutions. Patients are
also assisted with their removal expenses to better housing
accommodation, and with arrears of rent and insurance payments.
Clothing is supplied when required, and medical and
nursing requisites are lent to those who need them. An:
amount of £151 16s. 6d. was spent in this manner during the
year.
The Government scheme for assisting tuberculous persons
who had to give up remunerative work in order to undertake
treatment, came into force in July, 1943. Under this Scheme,
financial assistance is only granted to patients suffering from
the pulmonary forms of tuberculosis, and is limited to those
who have every prospect of returning to work six months after
completion of sanatorium treatment. Chronic cases are not
eligible.
Single men and women who are not entitled to any National
Health benefit whilst undergoing treatment in an institution
are eligible for pocket money up to 5/- per week.