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90
by the Committees, gives cause for satisfaction. There is a sense
of completeness in the work that was formerly lacking, which is
beneficial to all concerned.
As from 1st April, 1933, the date on which the change was
effected, 121 cases have been admitted to general hospitals. 37
of these cases have been transferred either to or from sanatoria,
or other hospitals, leaving 84 cases, which can be classified
definitely as an addition to the ordinary work. With regard to
the 37 transferred cases, it is not possible to state how many
under the old arrangements would have been dealt with by the
Care Committee, and how many retained by the Public Assistance
Committee to deal with. It will, however, be reasonable
to allow that 18 of these might be extra cases, making a total of
approximately 102 additional cases to be assessed by the Care
Committee over a period of nine months.
During the year 1931, 177 patients were recommended for
treatment under the Tuberculosis Scheme. In 1932, 175 patients
were recommended. In 1933, 167 patients were recommended,
apart from the 102 Public Assistance cases mentioned above. It
will therefore be obvious that the cases taken over from the
Public Assistance Committee will add substantially to the work,
particularly to that part relating to assessments.
With regard to the general work there has been no change in
procedure, except that regular visiting at our local general
hospitals is now in force. This addition can be regarded as a
most useful development, and brings the Committee into touch
with a type of patient particularly in need of help. We can
feel that to some lonely, homeless, and often friendless patients
we have been of practical use. 993 visits have been paid to
patients in hospital and at home, 1,468 persons have been
interviewed by the Care Committee, and 1426 cases have been
submitted to the Care Committee on the agendas.
With regard to our chronic difficulties, namely, lack of means,
and unsuitable housing conditions, usually the result of unemployment,
these still exist. A few of our cases have been
re-housed, and we hope some others will be in the near future.
This lets a gleam of light into the darkness of our housing
problem, and encourages us to hope that conditions will eventually
improve.