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BECKENHAM DISTRICT TUBERCULOSIS
CARE COMMITTEE
I extend grateful thanks to Mr. M. E. Forster, Hon. Secretary
of the above Committee, for kindly submitting the following report.
"During 1959 the Beckenham District Tuberculosis Care
Committee, which works in close connection with the County
Tuberculosis Care Committee and the Kent Council of Social
Service, continued its work amongst the tubercular patients and
their families in the Borough of Beckenham.
The main help needed was found to be in the home, as
experience over the last few years has shewn that this is due to the
shorter stay in Hospital or Sanatorium.
Patients are recommended to the Committee by the Chest
Clinic through their Health Visitors and if immediate help is
needed one of the Committee's two Liaison Officers will call and
is authorised to spend up to £5.
At each monthly meeting cases are reviewed and given very
careful consideration.
Expenditure during last year was over £317. This was once
again a drop—due not to the decline in the services of the Committee,
but due to the increased difficulty found in raising money.
Fortunately, the 1959 Christmas Sale of ½d. Seals increased,
due to the very energetic effort of the Hon. Organising Secretary.
This, coupled with money donated and raised at the yearly Jumble
Sale, should provide funds to expand the scope of the Committee
next year.
During the year, the following grants were made:—
Four patients were assisted with their housing problems and
three with employment problems.
Five patients were given free meat grants for periods ranging
from four weeks to twelve weeks.
Three patients had their debts settled and one was helped
with coal.
Six families were helped with fares to visit patients in Hospital
or Sanatoria.
Two families were sent on recuperative holidays during the
summer to approved Holiday Homes, and one family had
their fares paid.
Two patients were provided with clothing and one received
emergency help.
Two families were assisted with their Removals, and one
family was assisted with House Decorations.
A car was hired for a Holiday outing for one patient, and
a night light bought for an elderly patient.
In addition, the Committee's three Radio Sets are still on
loan to patients, and at Christmas time some 36 patients
received a Christmas Card and gift."
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