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25
AFTER-CARE OF THE TUBERCULOUS PATIENT
The general pattern of after-care of the tuberculous patient
has continued in the form of advice and assistance with finances
or personal problems, supervision and follow-up.
Prom 1st April of this year, the after-care work has included
tuberculous patients living in Coulsdon and Purley. Both
Croydon and the Coulsdon and Purley areas did have their own
Care Committees, but now the two Committees have combined.
Assistance has been given by the new Committee on similar lines
to previously and in the same generous way. As the area now
being served is larger the number of requests for assistance
made to the Care Committee has increased. Grants have been given
for holidays and varied needs, and at Christmas grocery vouchers
to the value of £90 were distributed, and £144 for fuel.
Retirement Pensions were raised at the beginning of this
year together with National Insurance and Unemployment Benefits
and National Assistance Rates. The increase in the National
Assistance scales included the special Tuberculosis Treatment
Allowance. The increases generally have helped to meet the rise
in the cost of living, but it is still difficult for the sick
person to manage on Pension or National Insurance, supplemented
by National Assistance.
In 1965, the tuberculous patient has had little difficulty
in finding suitable employment. The one exception is the very
frail patient who is only fit for the lightest work in a job
close to his Home. The Disablement Resettlement Officer gives
help and advice, but it may be impossible to place this type of
patient in employment- and, generally, the patient is then referred
to the Occupational Therapist.
Help has been given to a number of tuberculous patients by
the Home Help Service. The Children's Department has also been
contacted on certain cases and has arranged for the care of the
children when the mother of a family has to be admitted to
Hospital for treatment. The co-operation received from all
Departments over the past year, as well as the assistance which
has been given from time to time by voluntary organisations, is
greatly appreciated.