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46
patients in the tuberculosis wards of the general hospitals, and to help to alleviate
the sufferings of the chronic and advanced cases by supplying the small incidental
needs of the patients themselves, and by keeping in sympathetic touch with their
families. It is not possible to estimate statistically the valuable work performed by
these committees, but there is no doubt that the scope of care work is enlarging as
the cumulative effect of the years of trade depression makes itself felt.
Clothing.
The provision of clothing is an important part of the work of the care committees.
In one borough it was found that 70 per cent, of the patients who entered sanatoria
were in need of clothing of some kind. In most boroughs the care committee have a
stock of clothing obtained from voluntary sources, which is usedfor patients who are
not in receipt of poor-law relief. Where the family is already in receipt of relief, an
application for the necessary clothing is made by the care committee to the Public
Assistance Committee and arrangements have been made for these applications to
be dealt with as a matter of special urgency.
Handicraft
classes.
The 14 handicraft classes referred to in last year's Report have continued to do
good work during the past year. In two boroughs the teacher is paid from a voluntary
fund, while in the remainder the teacher is supplied by the Council. In three boroughs
arrangements have been made for the room used for the handicraft class to be open
throughout the week, so that patients may do their handicraft work there, or use the
room as a club-room, between the classes. During the autumn of 1933, 7 exhibitions
were held and a total sum of about £190 was realised by the sale of patients' work.
In most cases two or more boroughs co-operated in organising the exhibition.
Besides clothing the following are among the many problems that confront the
committees :—
(1) The care of patients receiving domiciliary treatment as regards bedding,
appliances and nursing comforts of all sorts.
(2) Arrangements for convalescence and holidays, not only for exsanatorium
patients themselves but for members of their families whose health
and resistance may have been lowered through nursing.
(3) Assistance for the housewife and family where the patient is the principal
breadwinner and for this reason often reluctant to accept treatment, and only
too anxious to discontinue it at the earliest possible moment.
(4) Assistance for families where the housewife is the patient, in arranging
for domestic help or the making of other adjustments.
(5) Assistance to ex-sanatorium patients in trying to find employment and
in re-adjustment to normal life.
(6) Financial assistance to relatives to enable them to visit patients who
are away under treatment.
(7) The supplying and arranging of occupational interests (books, knitting,
embroidery, etc.) for patients who, though at home, are still unfit or otherwise
unable to find work, and for bedridden cases both at home and in hospital.
(8) Assistance in securing better housing accommodation.
(9) Assistance with regard to National Health Insurance, where complications
have arisen or contributions are in arrear.
All these problems and many others of a more indefinite or a more intimate
nature are dealt with by care committees either directly, according to their particular
resources, or through co-operation with other social agencies.
Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913-27.
On 31st December, 1933, there were being dealt with by the Council 9,613 cases.
Of these 6,073 were in institutions, 175 under guardianship, 3,352 under supervision
Cases dealt
with by the
Council.