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30
TUBERCULOSIS AFTER-CARE
Once again during the year 1960 much has been done in a
variety of ways to help the tuberculous patient. Each new
patient is seen and told of the statutory and voluntary means of
help and is given a chance to discuss the family problems which
will arise as a direct result of the patient's illness, such as
the loss of income, care of the children and home, and perhaps
the possibilities of a change of employment when the patient is
fit for work once more. Sometimes all that is needed is a
willing listener.
The National Assistance Board is still often called upon to
help the tuberculous patient and will give a special allowance
to encourage the patient to take treatment. Fortunately an increasing
number of firms give sick pay for a certain period, but
the manual worker, unless employed by a Local Authority, is not
so fortunate. It often happens that the unskilled worker has
been earning large wages and has taken on many Hire Purchase
commitments, so that when his earnings come to a sudden stop, he
is in a sorry plight. Here, much can be done with letters to
Hire Purchase Firms explaining the situation and asking that
weekly payments may be reduced or stopped for the time being; and
sometimes with help from Voluntary Bodies.
The Ministry of Labour Disabled Section is often called upon
to find suitable light work for tuberculous patients. This may
necessitate a period at the Rehabilitation Unit in Croydon,
possibly followed by a specific training if the patient is young
enough to benefit. There is a close liaison between the Ministry
of Labour and the Chest Clinic.
Rehousing is another important factor in the final recovery
of the patient, and in Croydon we are fortunate in having been
able to get many tuberculous patients rehoused.
We still have a flourishing Voluntary Care Committee which
helps tuberculous patients in many ways. Some of those who are
chronically ill and unable to work have been helped to get holidays.
At Christmas 160 grocery parcels were distributed and
earlier in the year a number of patients were helped to buy fuel
In addition, some have been helped with clothing and household
replacements and some relatives with fares to visit patients in
distant hospitals.