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2565. Patient has been unfit for work for years and the main income was
from his wife's earnings. Before the patient was notified his wife had been ill for
six months and was unable to work ; as she was uninsured she had no sickness
benefit. During this time debts accumulated and on her return to work she was
unable to reduce the debts because the interest on them was taking all her spare
money. The debts were paid by the Fund and the patient's wife has almost
finished repaying the amount loaned to pay this debt.
Unfortunately there remain big problems for which the Committee still have
no remedy. Those most constantly apparent are unemployment and housing. There
are so few light jobs and so few employers who would willingly employ a tuberculous
patient that the Committee cannot make any pretence to help patients to find work.
The housing problem is hardly less acute. Many families must remain in Central
London and, unless they live in a street which is dealt with under a slum clearance
scheme, they stand little chance of moving within a reasonable time. There is therefore
an increasing tendency to move to one of the London County Council's estates
outside the London area if it is at all possible. It was once felt that this tendency
should be encouraged because of the obvious advantages of a house in a healthier
district, but during the year several families have either returned to Shoreditch or
have made application to do so. They find that the price of food is higher, travelling
expenses greater and, in certain instances, that the amenities for tuberculous patients
are fewer. With these points in mind the Committee feels compelled to urge each
applicant to consider whether the family income is large enough to meet these demands
whilst maintaining a sufficient standard of food.
Whilst the Committee is therefore happy to report its success in being able to
help patients and their families in many ways, there are still problems which are at
last being dealt with but which will not be overcome for some time.