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61
The following are particulars of the nourishment granted during 1927:—
Number of patients assisted 8
Number of pints
of milk granted.
159
Number of
eggs granted.
159
Estimated cost to the Council of nourishment granted during the year £4 2s. 0d.
Arrangements for "Care" and "After-Care."
In July, 1922, the Council approved a proposal for the constitution of a Borough Tuberculosis
Care Committee, and this Committee, which commenced its activities in December of that year,
undertook the whole of the "care" and "after-care" work in the Borough.
The constitution and membership of the Committee during the past year were as follow:—
(1) Borough Council—Councillor Miss M. Drysdale and Councillor Miss A. S. Hayne.
(2) London County Council—Dr. A. W. Sikes, Divisional Medical Officer and Miss
G. M. S. Paddon, District Organiser of School Care Committees.
(3) Kensington School Care Committees—Miss A. Webster.
(4) Kensington Invalid Children's Aid Association—Miss M. G. C. Crombie and Miss M.
H. Joseph
(5) Kensington Charity Organisation Society—Mrs. E. Weber and Miss O. A. Nixon.
(6) Brompton Hospital—Miss L. C. Marx, Lady Almoner.
(7) Kensington Board of Guardians—Lady Mellor.
(8) Kensington District Nursing Association—Miss E. D. Gibbes.
(9) Kensal House School—Miss C. D. Clay.
(10) London Insurance Committee—Dr. H. H. Mills.
(11) Panel Committee for the County of London—Dr. A. K. Barrett.
(12) British Red Cross Society—Mrs. Burne, M.B.E., and Mrs Burchell.
(13) British Red Cross Society (Emergency Help Committee)—Miss C. Keeling, J.P.
(14) United Services Fund—Miss M. Pickton.
(15) Ex-officio members—The Medical Officer of Health, Tuberculosis Officer and two
Women Health Officers.
The Committee have met fortnightly during the year, and the attendance of members has been
well maintained.
Every new case of tuberculosis coming to notice is allocated for social welfare purposes to a
member of the Committee, whose duty it is to report as necessary in regard to those patients for the
supervision of whom she has accepted responsibility.
The visiting of adult cases is undertaken on behalf of the Committee by the Charity Organisation
Society through their representatives on the Committee, whilst a similar arrangement exists with
the Invalid Children's Aid Association in regard to children.
In order to secure that no case shall escape routine visitation, a scheme has been evolved whereby
the appropriate care worker is required to submit to the Tuberculosis Care Committee at six-monthly
intervals reports upon all cases which have been referred to her for supervision.
The Committee undertake the work of making assessments for contributions in respect of
hospital or sanatorium treatment and dental treatment, and they also deal with applications for
grants of nourishment.
Arrangements for Finding Employment.
The difficulties of a Care Committee in securing work for persons whose physical capacity is
limited will be readily appreciated, but every effort is made in this matter.
In some instances the intervention of the Tuberculosis Care Committee has resulted in employers
holding open the positions of men about to undergo sanatorium treatment.
In the Autumn the Tuberculosis Care Committee appointed a Sub-Committee to consider the
establishment in the Borough of a handicrafts class for tuberculous patients whose disability prevents
them from performing full-time work. Largely as a result of the help of Miss Ruth
Alexander in offering the use of a room rent free at "The Quest," the Sub-Committee succeeded
in putting a scheme into operation and the class was opened in December.
An expert teacher is instructing a class of men and women for two hours weekly in basket
making. Attendances of patients at the class vary from 6 to 8, but it is hoped to increase the
numbers gradually.