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53
The St. Pancras Tuberculosis Care Committee.
Report of the Hon. Secretary on the Work for the year ended 31st December, 1924.
The work of the Committee during the year 1924 proceeded generally on the lines
laid down by the Ministry of Health in Circular 308. Its activities and its possibilities have,
however, been limited by lack of adequate clerical assistance and by lack of money, so that
there is no great record of achievement to present and no sufficiently satisfactory statistical
account for review.
The Committee has met on five occasions; the Sub-Committee on thirty-seven occasions
during the year 1924.
The Sub-Committee, which meets weekly, except at times of holiday or for special
reasons, deals mainly with questions of assessment. When desirable it makes special reports
and recommendations to the parent Committee.
The parent Committee has been asked to deal with the wider questions and problems
relating to the work, including the suitability of the provision made for various classes of
cases, the consideration of special problems, and the consideration of needed new developments.
Recommendations to the Borough Council have been made as to:—
The provision of accommodation for advanced cases.
The urgent need for additional housing.
The payment of nurses for patients in their own homes.
The provision of extra beds and bedding for patients in their own homes.
The Borough Council complied with the request of the Committee as to beds, etc., and
the provision has proved of great value.
The Committee organised a Conference on the Care of Advanced Cases of Tuberculosis,
held at the St. Pancras Town Hall on 24th July, 1924. Representatives of all the Care
Committees of London were invited to attend. There was a general agreement as to the
need for further provis on for the care of advanced cases; but no specific resolutions were
put forward, as it was hoped to continue the Conference at a later date.
Since Care Committees arc requested by the London County Council to recommend
as to the payments to be made by or on behalf of patients receiving residential institutional
treatment, much time is occupied in inquiring into and considering the financial circumstances
of such persons. Inquiry of this kind must, obviously, be made with great care if injury to
the patient as to his employment and living arrangements is to be avoided, so that assessment
is frequently made on unchecked information. The County Council (having less complete
knowledge of the patients than the Care Committee) make the final decision.
During 1924, 141 cases were considered as to assessment, and 87 cases in other
connections. Cases were referred for assistance to:—
The Charity Organization Society. The King's Roll Committee of the Labour
The Invalid Children's Aid Association. Exchange.
The British Red Cross. Spero Leather Workers.
The Invalid Kitchens of London. Theatrical Ladies' Guild.
The St. Pancras Home Helps Committee. Queen Mary's Needlework Guild.
In certain approved cases, extra nourishment is provided by the Borough Council.