|
|||
| Article by Sue Comont based on Annual Reports of the After-Care Committee deposited in the Northamptonshire Record Office | |||
|
Rushden TB After-Care Committee
Mass Radiography |
|||
|
In 1946, with the introduction of visits by the mass radiography unit, victory over TB came a step closer. It was a very important weapon in the fight against the disease and the committee were very proud that Rushden was the first place in the county to experience it:
“The outstanding feature of the year was the introduction of the county council mass radiography unit, launched in Rushden on 9 April at Messr’s White’s canteen where the firm’s employees were the first examinees. 91% took advantage of it. Posters and leaflets had been distributed in all the factories explaining the scheme, a film on mass radiography was shown in the three cinemas of the town and committee members addressed meetings in the larger factories. 2,298 women and 2,821 men were examined at White’s. Mass radiography has brought more work and responsibility to the committee of visitors who made an average of 34 visits a month.” The unit made a second visit on 19 May 1949. This time, it was open to the general public as well as employees in industry and the level of response was so great that the unit had to stay longer than planned to accommodate everyone who wanted to take advantage of it. In 1951 Rushden and District were selected to lead off the third mass radiography survey. During the previous session 10,365 persons were x-rayed and the committee were encouraged to learn that preliminary figures suggested there would be a big reduction in the number of cases of newly discovered active TB compared with the first survey. In 1955 it was reported that there had been 17 notifications of TB during the year, mostly as a reslt of the mass radiography and it was encouraging to know that the majority, after a period of treatment in the San, had recovered and been able to resume their normal occupations. By 1957 mass radiography and new drugs meant that while TB had by no means been eradicated, the number of incidences of the disease was lessening and patients were recovering more quickly. As a result, care work was extended to cover other chest diseases as well as TB. Visits by the mass radiography unit still continued, however, and the committee were pleased to help make them a success. In 1960 the committee reported that: “We were happy to be associated with the mass radiography unit visit again by undertaking the house to house distribution of leaflets, providing the loudspeaker van and in co-operation with other women’s organisations in the town, supplying a rota of hostesses at the various depots. During the survey 8074 people were x-rayed, a decrease of 285 from 1957.” By 1984 the committee were able to review the history of the hospital at Rushden “Little could be done for patients in the early days but the advent of modern drugs coupled with the work of the Mass Radiography Service, saw the Hospital enter its’ most successful period from 1950- 1970 when death from TB practically disappeared and the number of new cases of TB fell dramatically. As a result the hospital was able to provide a comprehensive chest service for all types of chest illness.” |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
