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It is a matter for my great satisfaction that the St. Pancras Tuberculosis Care Committee
has extended its work considerably during the last year or two. There is no doubt
whatever that the statistical information included in the following report represents in
human terms much help, comfort and mitigation of suffering for patients and their families.
It is to be hoped that the excellent and essential work that this Committee is doing
will be still further extended in the years ahead.
The following report on the work carried out during 1936 has been prepared by the
Secretary of the Committee:—
The Care Committee held 11 meetings during the year, and the work carried out by
or reported to them is indicated in the following summary.
Residential Treatment.
The financial positions of all patients accepted for institutional treatment are investigated
by the Tuberculosis Visitors and classified according to whether or not financial
difficulty is anticipated. The results, after approval by the Care Committee, are forwarded to
the London County Council.
During the year the number of investigations reported was :—
(a) Financial difficulty anticipated 137
(b) Financial difficulty not anticipated 135
272
Public Assistance.
All patients and their families who appear to be eligible are referred to the Public
Assistance Department. In January the London London County Council asked that, for an
experimental period, all such patients and suitable contacts who appeared to be in need of
extra nourishment in addition to or in substitution for their ordinary diet, should be recommended
for it by the Tuberculosis Officer. The recommendations have been renewed monthly
and are reported to the Care Committee for approval. During the year 121 recommendations
were made in respect of 54 patients. As a rule, a pint of milk and an egg were allowed to
each patient daily.
Extra Nourishment provided by the Borough Council.
The Council may provide a pint of milk and an egg daily to necessitous patients who
are not in receipt of public assistance, if the recommendations of the Tuberculosis Officer are
approved by the Milk Committee. The recommendations are reported to the Care Committee
and during the year amounted to: —
Number of patients recommended 209
£ s. d.
Total cost 125 0 9
Provision of Clothing.
This may be provided by the Care Committee for patients awaiting admission to
Sanatoria, and by the Care Committee or the London County Council (if it cannot be obtained