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30
TUBERCULOSIS AFTER-CARE
There is still a great need for help amongst tuberculous
patients despite the fact that the normal length of treatment is
now considerably shorter.
It is always a great shock for a man or woman to be told
that hospital treatment is needed and much help can be given
simply by discussing the necessary adjustments to be made, as
well as the various forms of help available.
Many more people are now entitled to sick pay for varying
periods, but there are many who are not, including those who are
self employed as well as those in unskilled work. More firms
now keep jobs open, but there are still a number of patients who
have to look for new work when they are fit again. The greatest
problem is to find suitable work for those who have to change
their type of work, but the Ministry of Labour's Disablement Resettlement
Officers are most co-operative in finding suitable
light work or in re-training both men and women.
When patients are discharged from hospital they need considerable
help especially where the patient is the mother of a
family, who will find it difficult to take life easily when she
sees all the tasks that need to be done. Here the Home Help
Service does a valuable job.
Our Occupational Therapist is able to help patients who are
confined to the house and her report appears separately. Now
there are two Centres run by the Welfare Services and a number
of patients who are not fit for work are able to have occupation
good company and good food at these Centres.
The voluntary Care committee is still able to give the extra
help which often means so much. Particularly valuable help has
been given by arranging holidays at spero Homes for couples who
would not otherwise get away and who in many cases have not bad
a holiday for years. This Christmas the Care Committee has given
Pood Vouchers in place of the parcels given in previous years,
and the recipients have expressed great pleasure in being able
to choose for thamselves. Over 50 patients also received money
for fuel. Throughout the year grants have been given for
clothing, prans, furnishings, and in one case, repair of an
invalid chair.
Altogether, 1961 has been another busy year in spite of the
increase of statutory help in the Welfare State.