TUBERCULOSIS CASES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 2

TUBERCULOSIS CASES

HOME NEEDED FOR DISCHARGED

PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO ASSOCIATION

The committee of the South Island Tuberculosis Association (Northern Group) had been concerned over the lack of accommodation for those cases for whom nothing further could be done in the Cashmere Sanatorium, said the president (Dr. W. Gordon Rich) in his report to be presented to the annual meeting of the association to be held this month. Some of these patients had no homes to go to. and were thrown back into the community although they were still infectious. A home, such as would be necessary, would be beyond the resources of the association, said Dr. Rich.

A special sub-committee had suggested advertising for a couple who might be former patients themselves, and who might have two or three acres of ground on which hutments could be placed. “So far our efforts to find such a home have been of no avail, but it would appear that the matter is still worthy of our close attention.’’ Dr. >ich said.

Help given to patients both in and out of the sanatorium during the year took many forms and was controlled through the secretary’s office. No deserving case was ever refused if it was in the power of the associaiton to assist, said Dr. Rich.

During the year 223 reports on applications for assistance were considered. involving the expenditure ol £1146. in addition to the £251 spenl by the Sanatorium Service Committee on direct help. The library and arl therapy service required a furthei £2lB.

Help given included grants for baby clothes, school clothes and adults’ clothing of all types, payment of board and school fees, superannuation and life insurance premiums, grocery and doctors’ bills, he said. \ The association’s income increased this year, and so did the amount which was paid to beneficiaries, said Dr. Rich. There was a small surplus of £92. Without the proceeds of the street appeal held in March each year the association would have the greatest difficulty in carrying on its work. The Christmas seals campaign produced a net profit of £228. and this was transferred to the Convalescent Homes Endowment Fund.