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At the end of 1958, 103 men were in residence in three London hostels and in
accommodation provided at the British Legion Village, Preston Hall, Maidstone, Kent.
Most of the residents are middle-aged or elderly men severely handicapped by their
tuberculous disease, often complicated by some other disabling condition (e.g., arthritis,
diabetes, amputation, bronchitis, gastric ulcer, amyloidosis): of 284 residents, who
between them spent 387 periods in hostel accommodation from 1951 to the end of
1958, 157 (55 per cent.) were aged 45 to 64 years on the date of admission and 61 (21
per cent.) were aged 65 years or over.
Instruction is given in handicrafts to those residents who can be interested in such
activities and they receive profits on the sale of articles completed. Residents who are
fit to do so take on jobs at the hostels during times of staff shortage and receive payment
of up to 5s. a ' task ' for such work.
Industrial rehabilitation—Selected patients recommended by chest physicians are sent
to village settlements where they undergo courses of instruction in work suited to
their capacity and temperament. The Council has agreed with the regional hospital
boards that a patient comes within the Council's after-care scheme for rehabilitation
when he is fit to work at the settlement for five hours a day. Maintenance charges then
become the Council's financial responsibility until the patient returns home or becomes a
settler.
The number of patients at these settlements for whom the Council was financially
responsible at the end of 1948 was 31. The number rose to 80 (76 men, four women)
at the end of 1954 and fell to 56 (men) at the end of 1958.
The disablement resettlement officers of the Ministry of Labour try to place in
suitable employment registered disabled patients unable to return to their former
employment. Where necessary training is arranged at a Government or other recognised
training centre, sometimes after preliminary assessment at a Ministry of Labour
industrial rehabilitation unit.
Diversional therapy—Diversional therapy classes, mostly organised by the voluntary
tuberculosis care committees, are held at many chest clinics for patients able to travel.
The instructors are provided and paid by the education department as part of the
Council's evening institute teaching arrangements.
A service for home-bound patients, started experimentally in 1953 in north west
London, was extended in 1955 to other parts of London where the need for such a service
was apparent. In the last week of December, 1958, 262 patients were receiving
instruction in their own homes from the Council's occupational therapists.
Among the crafts in which patients are instructed are basketry, book-binding,
dressmaking, leather work, rug and toy making, and weaving. The finished articles are
purchased by the patients or their relatives or friends or disposed of at market stalls or
annual sales of work. The articles are, of course, disinfected before display for sale.
Voluntary care committees—A voluntary tuberculosis care committee operates in
association with most of the chest clinics under a constitution, prescribed by the Council,
which includes representation of the metropolitan borough councils and other bodies
interested in the welfare of tuberculous persons and their families. The Council's
tuberculosis care organiser usually acts as secretary to the care committee.
These committees help patients with money or other benefits not available to them
from official sources. Their funds are obtained from voluntary contributions, sales of
work, Christmas seal sales, Council grants from Sunday cinema profits, etc.
Prevention of illness : care and after care
Foot clinics—The Council has continued to operate the 26 foot clinics established by some
of the metropolitan borough councils before 5 July, 1948. The demand for foot
treatment continues to be unsatisfied and applications were made to the Minister of