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Altogether 326 tuberculosis patients have been seen. Some have been advised, others
referred to other agencies for the requisite service, e.g. Home Help, Occupational resettlement
(Employment Exchange Disablement Resettlement Officer). There has been a very close
liaison with the Disablement Resettlement Officer at Canning Town but not quite so much
progress has been made at Stratford.
A substantial number of cases of clothing needs have been referred either to the
Women!s Voluntary Services when clothing has been supplied or an application has been made
to the Personal Service League on behalf of the patient.
Cases of financial difficulty are referred first to the National Assistance Board,
failing which the patients are referred to one of the recognised voluntary agencies when
the Almoner has supported an application for help in approved cases. Help given in this
way is generally for fares to visit a relative in sanatoria, help with clearing off heavy
hire purchase debts, and sometimes with provision of bed and bedding.
A statistical summary of work done during the year is attached. The miscellaneous
services include admission to hospital and sanatoria reference to Toe. H. for friendly
supervision, advice or enquiries concerning pension, insurance and other statutory problems,
reference to the Psychiatric Social Worker, to the Citizen?s Advice Bureau, to the School
Meals Service for free meals, to the Probation Officer, general advice on a variety of
matters, one case of repatriation and one of emigration.
A very happy service at Christmas time was the distribution of toys to over 200
children, either themselves suffering from tuberculosis of dependent on parents whose
income was reduced by illness from tuberculosis. The main source of supply was the Evening
News "Toy for a Sick Child" scheme and smaller but very valuable supplies were given by
the Upton Manor Rover Scouts Group and by the Sunday School children of Stratford
Congregational Church through a Toy Service.
The names of a 100 elderly people with very low incomes who are also cases of
tuberculosis was supplied to the Mayor to share in the distribution of Christmas food
parcels,
In addition to tuberculosis cases 20 other cases were dealt with during the year,
referred to the officer by the Public Health Department or by other hospitals, mainly
Queen Mary?s Hospital. The statistics include these cases.
The close of the year saw the department with a separate office in the Balaam Street
Baths with the services of a half time secretary. Liaison with the Chest Physician in
dealing with contacts has been satisfactory and co-operation with the Tuberculosis Health
Visitors excellent. It can safely be recorded that after some trial and error the years
end found the new office functioning smoothly with the prospect that next year the
Tuberculosis Social Service could make a real contribution to the life of the community.
SCHEDULE OF WORK.
Cases seen:-
Tuberculosis - 326
Other - 20
Total: 3^+6
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