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28
TUBERCULOSIS AFTER-CARE
During 1959 there was much work done for the after care of
tuberculous patients. In spite of the fact that tuberculosis is
now much less serious, patients still require long term treatment
and experience many difficulties in adjusting themselves
both to their illness and to working again after a long period
of enforced idleness.
A number of patients still cannot go back to their old employment
because the work is too heavy. Others experience
difficulty in getting accepted for Life Insurance, mortgages and
emmigration, as has been discovered in a recent survey. All
these patients require help and encouragement to prevent them
feeling frustrated.
There is statutory financial help available through the
National Assistance Board and help with rehabilitation through
the Ministry of Labour, which provides Industrial Rehabilitation
Units, one of which is conveniently placed at Waddon, where men
and women can try out different types of work and at the same
time get back to the rhythm of the working day without being
pressed too hard. Following 6 to 8 weeks at the Industrial Rehabilitation
Unit, patients may go straight into some form of
light work or undertake a training course for some particular
trade.
Many patients require financial help beyond that available
through the National Assistance Board and this is sometimes
given by Forces Benevolent Funds, but more often and in more
varied ways by the local Tuberculosis Care Committee which in
1959 helped 132 families with grocery parcels at Christmas, 61
families with fuel and 24 people with holidays. In addition,
nearly £50 has been spent in helping with fares for relatives
visiting patients in distant Hospitals, £76 with clothing,
bedding, household replacements, etc. Altogether, about £500
has been spent on helping patients, and roughly the same amount
has been collected by voluntary effort.