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51
The arrangements described in the report for 1945 for the surgical after-care of
patients discharged from hospitals continued up to 4th July, 1948, when responsibility
was taken over by the appropriate hospital management committees.
Surgical
after-care
Payment of maintenance allowances and grants under the Government's scheme,
set out in memorandum 266T of the Ministry of Health, to patients undergoing
prescribed treatment either in a hospital or sanatorium or at home under the
tuberculosis officer's direction, continued throughout the period 1st January to
4th July, 1948.
Maintenance
allowances
(Memo. 266T)
The machinery of the dispensary service was utilised in connection with enquiries
for the purpose of determining the amounts payable, and, where practicable, for the
actual payment of the allowances. The tuberculosis officers were responsible for
determining eligibility on medical grounds for any allowances authorised, and the
Social Welfare Department was responsible for determining payment of allowances.
During the period 1st January to 4th July, 1948, approximately £87,000 was paid
in allowances compared with £158,000 in 1947.
A considerable number of sanatorium beds much needed for the accommodation
of patients who require active treatment is at present occupied by ambulant patients
who cannot be discharged because they have no homes or the home conditions are
unsuitable. Some of these patients can be admitted to village settlements or training
colleges for post-hospital rehabilitation, where the Ministry of Labour arrange for
training grants to be made. From 5th July, 1948, in necessitous cases the Council
accepted responsibility for the cost of maintenance of a number of these patients
whilst receiving rehabilitation. Patients are received at the British Legion Village,
Maidstone; Papworth Colony, Cambridge, and Barrowmore Colony, near Chester.
Up to 31st December, 1948, the Council had accepted responsibility for the
maintenance of 31 patients.
Workshops,
settlements,
etc.
The Council decided to provide special residential accommodation in the form
of "night sanatoria" for patients who, while well enough to be discharged from
hospitals to work during the day, need lodging and facilities for rest under medical
supervision. It is proposed to arrange with the Disabled Persons Employment
Corporation set up under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, for the
provision of workshop facilities, preferably on an adjacent site. It is contemplated
that each night sanatorium will provide residential accommodation for about fifty
persons, and about 150 tuberculous employees be trained in the workshops.
Restrictions on building render it difficult to contemplate the erection of new buildings
at present, but it is hoped ultimately to provide four such establishments in the
county of London in new or adapted buildings. As an interim measure one or two
small buildings may be obtained and adapted as residential accommodation for these
tuberculous persons who could attend workshops set up by the Disabled Persons
Employment Corporation.
Night
sanatoria
Tuberculosis care committees are voluntary bodies for the organisation within
the tuberculosis dispensary areas of measures auxiliary to treatment and form an
integral part of the measures for fighting tuberculosis. In most London boroughs
there were Tuberculosis Care Committees prior to 5th July, 1948, and the Council
decided, as an interim measure, that the existing committees should continue to
function with the addition, in each case, of a member of the appropriate Divisional
Health Committee and the appropriate Divisional Medical Officer.
Tuberculosis
care
committees
Responsibility for operating mass miniature radiography units in London passed
to the four metropolitan regional hospital boards on 5th July, 1948, and the two
X-ray units operated by the Council were transferred, one to the South-East and one
to the South-West Board. The Council has co-operated with the boards in arranging
for the units to visit areas generally in accordance with past practice. The Borough
Medical Officers of Health have assisted in securing volunteers for X-ray examination
from factories, business organisations, etc.
Mass
miniature
radiography