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101
B0dies. Representatives.
London County Council Dr. H. R. Kidner, Miss C. F. Aves.
London County Council (Public Assistance Mrs. R. Ashfield, Mr. R. Campbell, Mrs. B. G.
Committee) Dickinson.
London Insurance Committee Mr. S. H. Brown.
Panel Committee for the County of London Dr. H. M. Wise.
British Red Cross Society Mr. J. O'Connell.
Woolwich Invalid Children's Aid Association Mrs. J. B. Great-Rex, M.B.E.
Late Tuberculosis Dispensary Committee Mr. E. G. Dixon, O.B.E., J.P.
United Services Fund Mrs. A. Evans.
Ex-Officio.
Voluntary Visitors Miss E. Fletcher, Miss D. A. Frye, Miss M.
Ross.
Tuberculosis Officer Dr. F. J. C. Blackmore.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. J. MacMillan, D.S.O., M.C.
The following extract from the Annual Report of the Tuberculosis Care Committee
for 1938 tells how this Committee works for the benefit of the patient and
his household:—
"The general aim of the Committee may be stated as follows:—To look
after every family in the Borough in which there is a tuberculous patient, and
to advise and assist as far as in their power lies, so that nothing may be lacking
to supplement the medical treatment which is provided by the public
authorities.
The means by which we seek to attain the above objective may be
enumerated as follows:—
(а) The Patient.
(1) The provision of clothes to enable the patient to go to an institution.
(2) The provision of pocket money while he is away from home. It will
be readily understo0d that in institutions patients require small sums of money
to meet the cost of postages, newspapers, toilet requisites, etc.
(3) Necessary nursing requisites when the patient is at home, e.g., air
beds, bed rings, back rests, hot water bottles, bed pans, etc., and surgical aids
and instruments in orthopaedic cases.
(4) National Health Insurance.—It is found that the National Health
Insurance affairs of many patients are not in order. This may be due to
indifference, carelessness or unfortunate circumstances which have put the
patient in arrears. The Committee endeavours to straighten out these matters
so that the patient may derive all the benefit to which he is entitled. In some
cases money is advanced to pay up the arrears, which may immediately put the
patient into financial benefit and in such cases is expected to refund this amount
from the monies received if the circumstances justify this course.
(5) The interest of the employer is sought to keep the patient's job open
and in other cases endeavour is made to find suitable employment for patients who
have lost their posts as a result of their illness.
(б) By putting the patient in touch with other organisations which may
help, e.g., British Legion, British Red Cross, United Services Fund, Public Assistance,
etc.