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65
The Committee have again had before them many cases in which the need for employment
for ex-patients was urgent. Nothing of note is being done in this connection in the
London area, except by the Central Fund for the Industrial Welfare of Tuberculous Persons.
There are several St. Pancras men in the workshop organised by this Fund, and further work
of this kind for the unskilled and for women patients is urgently needed. The St. Pancras
Committee considers that, not only workshops, but work centres are required to meet the
varying needs of patients.
There is great need for a home for women patients who return from Sanatoria sufficiently
restored for the moment to resume their old occupations, but still in need of more care
than their crowded homes can provide. The provision of medical care in their own homes for
those patients who are not eligible for Poor Law assistance, and are too poor to pay medical
fees is still among our difficulties. It is understood that further provision for advanced cases
is now available; but it is not yet possible to say that every advanced case willing to go into
an institution, permanently or temporarily, can be granted a vacancy.
The care of the children of families in which there is a patient suffering from tuberculosis
is engaging the attention of the Committee in a special degree. The boarding-out
scheme of the London County Council was warmly welcomed and utilised as far as possible.
Further care might be expended upon these children in their own homes with advantage.
Clothing for patients going into institutions, and also for those returning to active life,
is greatly needed. A needle-work guild, or a clothing fund for the provision of both new and
old clothing, would help very considerably.
To Mrs. Philipson, of the Invalid Children's Aid Association, acknowledgment of
most valuable help must again be made. Mrs. Philipson's help in every part of the Committee's
work is indispensable, and, once more, she has not only helped in the decision as to
assessments, but has done the whole of the Committee's work as to the collection of the sums
due.
To Mr. Neal, Mr. Leyland, and the Red Cross generally, we are grateful for the
personal kindness with which their help is given.
There is much urgent work remaining for the Committee, and it is greatly to be
desired that its activities should be developed.
From January 1st, 1925, to 31st December, 1925, the total number of cases considered
was 495, and the number assessed 260.
Of the 260 cases assessed, 116 were assessed nil; 54 were assessed at from one shilling to
ten shillings.
Suitable cases were referred to the under-mentioned agencies:—
The Charity Organisation Society,
The Guardians,
The Invalid Children's Aid Association,
The British Red Cross,
The Labour Exchange, etc.
Ten children were referred to open-air schools.
Thirty-six children were sent away by the Invalid Children's Aid Association, under
the London County Council scheme, the total number of cases referred to the Invalid
Children's Aid Association being 49.