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19.
paid for, the patient and. his parents were able to take advantage of the
wholesale terms obtained for them.
We are glad to report that the fund does not new have to provide
free milk for any of the patients because, during the year, the
National Assistance Board agreed that any grant made by the Board for
extra nourishment could be utilised for such expensive foods as fish,
fruit, etc. The London County Council could, therefore, provide free
milk and extra nourishment to all notified cases coming within the
scale who were so recommended by the Chest Physician, without duplicating
the nourishment given by the Board, and the Care Fund, therefore, does
not now have to be utilised for this purpose.
We are also pleased to add that the London County Council now supply
to such cases, in addition to two pints milk daily, a maximum of seven
eggs and ½ lb. butter weekly. As, if they wish, patients may buy the
patent foods (Horlicks, Ovaltine, etc.) at a much reduced price through
the Care Fund, this change of procedure could mean quite a good increase
in the family income.
The Divisional Administrative Officer of the London County Council
is empowered to grant free milk, etc., in cases above the agreed
financial scale, if for any reason it is thought necessary to apply for
this. We are pleased to say that in several cases this concession has
been granted - sometimes to be entirely free - otherwise the patient to
make a small contribution towards the cost.
In co-operation with the Shoreditch Borough Council, a Home
Library Service was started, books being delivered by the Library Staff
to bed patients. This has been much appreciated.
The class for patients well enough to attend at the elinic and do
handicrafts is continuing under the supervision of a trained
Occupational Therapist.
The project of sending an Occupational Therapist to the homes of
those bed patients considered fit enough by the Chest Physician to do
handicrafts there, is under consideration by the London County Council
and it is hoped that, by next year, such a scheme may be put into
operation.
The usual Christmas gifts of 10/- each to twenty elderly patients,
and cigarettes to the men in Busby Bird Ward of St.Leonard's Hospital,
were provided through the Care Fund.
Help has also been gratefully received from other voluntary
societies and particularly we wish to thank Miss Glennie of the
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families Association and Miss Heaver of
the Forces Help Society, who have done so much for our patients.
Below are the figures for Care Work for the year 1954:-
Number of oases assisted by Shoreditch Tuberculosis Fund
Clothing 38
Fares 83
Pocket Money 3