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30
AFTER-CARE OF THE TUBERCULOUS PATIENT
The tuberculous patient often has fears and doubts as well
as practical problems. Help and encouragement are needed not
only immediately following diagnosis but also in the months
ahead.
The increase in unemployment generally in the year 1962 has
made it more difficult for the tuberculous patient to find
alternative work should a change of job be necessary. The unskilled
worker requiring a light job seems to present the chief
problem. Patients are advised about registration as a Disabled
Person and the Disablement Resettlement Officer, co-operating
with the Chest Clinic, gives all help possible to them in finding
work. Constant encouragement is needed by the patient during
unemployment.
In the majority of cases a grant from the National Assistance
Board is made in addition to unemployment benefit. If a
patient has given up his job in order to undergo treatment for
tuberculosis a special National Assistance rate is paid both
during sickness and unemployment. The patient is always very
glad to have advice about these grants.
The voluntary Care Committee once again has given great
support by making grants for special needs which are not covered
by statutory help. They also have given food vouchers at
Christmas to over 50 tuberculous patients and a coal grant to
about 60 patients. During the summer, through Care Committee
finances, several couples were sent on holiday to Bognor whilst
help was given to other patients to enable them to have a holiday
with relatives or friends.
If a mother of a family has to come into hospital it may be
there is no one to look after the children. This is the time
when the Children's Department is contacted and, if no other
arrangements can be made, it will mean a foster home or nursery
for the children. The mother naturally wants to be with the
children again at the earliest opportunity, and the Home Help
Service often gives invaluable help on the Mother's discharge
from hospital to make this possible. The Home Help Service also
arranges temporary help for other tuberculous patients on dis
charge from hospital and indefinite help to certain chronic
cases.
The weather of 1962 with its long drawn out winter, pour
summer and November smog has not made it an easy year for the
tuberculous patient and it has been especially difficult for the
elderly, chronically ill person. The importance of after-care
has been very apparent.