View report page

Tuberculosis Care Committee.
The functions of this Committee were indicated in a circular issued by the Ministry of
Health to be as follows:—"The primary duty of the Committee should be to consider the
economic position of the family of every patient suffering from tuberculosis as soon as he
comes within the purview of the dispensary scheme, and to render such advice and
assistance as the circumstances of the case dictate, with a view to enabling the family to
adjust their circumstances to the new conditions, to maintain their economic independence, and
to derive the fullest possible advantage from the medical treatment prescribed. Certain kinds
of assistance may be needed in particular cases, viz., additional food, change of air, clothing,
better home conditions, more suitable occupation; the provision of financial or other assistance,
when necessary, for the family of a patient who is under treatment in a residential
institution, or temporarily for a patient and his family on his return home from such an
institution. Where the necessity for financial assistance arises, it can be better provided
through the agency of existing charitable or public organisations than from a fund
administered by the Care Committee, and in such cases it should be the function of the Care
Committee to bring the family into touch with the appropriate organisation. A subsidiary
but important function is to undertake, on behalf of the London County Council, the
assessment of charges made in respect of residential treatment afforded to children and
to adults whose income exceeds a certain figure. It is important, however, to secure that the
activities of Care Committees are not absorbed by the routine work falling under this head, to
the detriment of the main functions which are mentioned above."
The following particulars concerning the work of the Committee and cases dealt with
during the year have been supplied by the Hon. Secretary, Miss Bibby:—
The St. Pancras Tuberculosis Care Committee.
Report of the Hon. Secretary for the year 1935.
This Committee has accomplished little beyond the routine work of assessment and of
reference to the allied charities during the year 1925.
The meetings of the full Committee have been few, but the Sub-Committee has met
regularly every week except during August. We are especially indebted to Mr. Neal, of the
Red Cross, Mrs. Philipson, of the Invalid Children's Aid Association, Miss Hill, of the Charity
Organisation Society, Miss Bell, of the School Care Committee, and Mrs. Grair, of the Infant
Welfare Centres, for regular attendance at the Sub-Committee, as well as for much assistance
in other directions.
As in previous years, the work has been hampered by lack of adequate clerical assistance
and by lack of money. Mrs. Grair has very kindly given help every week, but even with this
valuable assistance the clerical work has not been fully dealt with. Patients, both at home
and in Sanatoria, respond amazingly to carefully written letters, which are a valuable adjunct
to personal visiting.
The need for an emergency fund still exists (in the opinion of the Hon. Secretary),
and it is to be regretted that the Ministry of Health and the London County Council discourage
the holding of funds by Tuberculosis Care Committees. It should be added that
some members of the Tuberculosis Care Committee would not concur with this opinion.