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(1) How are the family to carry on during the absence of the patient,
especially if he be the breadwinner?
This question alone frequently presents enormous difficulties.
What is his National Health Insurance benefit if any? Can the wife
go out to work if a job can be found? Can the children be cared
for or boarded out if the wife works? Is the patient an ex-service
man or the dependent of an ex-service man?
(2) Has the patient sufficient suitable clothing for institutional treatment?
(3) Can his wife afford fares to visit him whilst he is undergoing treatment?
(4) On his return can he have a separate bed or bedroom? Ts he fit to
return to his former work? If not, can suitable light work be found?
Can he meet the cost of attending London hospitals for treatment such
as artificial pneumothorax refills, Finsen Light or Ultra-Violet Ray
treatment?
(5) When the patient is at home and the children are exposed to infection
can arrangements be made for them to go and stay with relatives
or be boarded out?
(6) Is there sufficient food and nourishment for the returned patient?
(7) Can a rest or change of air be arranged for the over-worked wife?
It cannot be denied that this is a most important side of the work, and these
duties devolve upon the Tuberculosis Care Committee which is constituted as
follows in Woolwich:—
Bodies.
Woolwich Borough Council
Trade Unions
Employers
Friendly Societies
London County Council
London County Council (Public Assistance
Committee)
London Insurance Committee
Panel Committee for the County of London
British Red Cross Society
War Pensions Committee
Woolwich Invalid Children's Aid Association
Late Tuberculosis Dispensary Committee
United Services Fund
Representatives.
Councillors H. N. Dickinson, J. Lee, Major
G. H. Rayner, Mrs. E. L. Reeves,
H. Vaughan, Miss S. Turnbull.
Mr. W. H. Fairchild, Mr. E. Ware.
Miss L. Ames, Miss Fletcher, Mr. D. Mather.
Mr. W. A. Lyon, Mr. A. J. Rourke, Mr. F. Smyth.
Dr. H. R. Kidner, Miss E. Faulkner.
Miss C. K. Lambeth, Mrs. E. M. Newman,
Mrs. J. Wood.
Mr. W. Edwards.
Dr. H. M. Wise.
Mr. J. O'Connell.
Alderman A. R. Loader.
Mrs. J. B. Great Rex.
Mr. W. Dashwood, Mr. E. G. Dixon, JP
(Vacant).
Ex-Officio:
Voluntary Visitors Miss L. Bloxam, Miss L. MacDermott.
Tuberculosis Officer Dr. F. J. C. Blackmore.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. J. MacMillan.