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86
Miss Woolgar has provided the following report in regard to
the activities of the Association.
1. Provision of Extra Nourishment.—Milk vouchers (45 cases),
Grocery vouchers for 5s. where need arises, either in addition
to or instead of a milk voucher (20 cases). Particularly useful
in cases of Old Age Pensioners receiving a National Assistance
Board supplement for milk who cannot on that account be
given a milk voucher. (Expenditure 1949/50 approximately
£784).
2. Beds and Bedding.— Provided where necessary to enable
patient to sleep in a separate bed. (Expenditure 1949/50
approximately £28 for seven cases).
3. Clothing.—Supplied where provision is not the responsibility
of the National Assistance Board or Education Authority or
where the delay in applying to an official source would cause
hardship. Bed-wear is also provided where the patient is in
a hospital not covered by a Hospital Management Committee
and no clothing is supplied to in-patients. (Expenditure
1949/50 approximately £19 for seven cases).
4. Fares to Visit Patients in Hospital.—Where the applicant is
not eligible through the National Assistance Board and the
patient could not be visited without hardship to the family,
fares are paid. Frequency of payment varies according to the
distance and the state of the patient's health and morale.
Reference is made to the almoner or doctor at the hospital
when there is doubt on these points. (Expenditure 1949/50
approximately £29).
5. Sick-Room Equipment.—Local stocks of air-rings, back-rests,
etc., are inadequate and tuberculous patients generally require
long-term loan which removes the appliance from circulation
for a long period. A small stock is maintained at the clinic
by the W.A.T.C.H. and where further appliances (e.g.,
invalid chairs, air-beds or additional air-rings and bed-rests)
are borrowed from other agencies, the cost of hire is borne by
the W.A.T.C.H. If space for storage were available, a larger
stock could usefully be held at the clinic for use of tuberculous
patients only. (Note by Area Medical Officer. These deficiencies
in sick-room equipment are being remedied).
6. Coal.—Supplies sometimes provided by arrangement with
trader and Fuel Controller where lack of coal would be detrimental
to patient's health and insufficient money is available
in the family.