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34
AFTER-CARE OF THE TUBERCULOUS PATIENT
The after-care needed by the tuberculous patient is varied,
due to such differences as home conditions, financial circumstances,
nature of employment, nationality, as well as physical
condition and personality. Every year, new notifications produce
patients with varied after-care needs, and help is given both to
these patients and to previously notified tuberculosis cases.
The foreign patients often have problems and require help
and guidance. Frequently, they are living in lodgings and have
no relatives to give them practical and moral support. They may
only have been in this country for a short while and are still
looking for a job when taken ill, or if in employment, they may
not have worked long enough to entitle them to National Insurance
Sickness Benefit. These patients generally experience
difficulty in obtaining employment when fit enough to work again.
Employment can also be a problem for some of the British
tuberculosis patients, and especially for the older man who has
to give up his job and find light work. Once again, the Disablement
Resettlement Officer has given all help possible.
Retirement Pensions, Sickness Benefit and National Assistance
rates have increased this year, but with the rise in cost
of living, patients have still found it very difficult to put
money aside for special needs. The bitter weather of January and
February increased fuel expenses, and many patients could illafford
this. Requests for assistance with fuel were made to our
Care Committee, and generous help was given. The Committee have
also helped to meet other special needs, and at Christinas issued
grocery vouchers and fuel grants to a large number of patients.
It would be difficult to over-emphasise the pleasure obtained by
patients from their summer holidays at a Guest House or with
relatives, and they are always very grateful to the Care Committee
for making these holidays possible.
1963 has been a busy year from all aspects of after-care
work.