The Rushden Tuberculosis After Care Committee

Its History, Purpose and Methods

Formed in 1934 by Dr G.B. Lord with lay help from Rushden people many of whom were ex T.B. patients themselves.  The object was to give help to Rushden T.B. patients when they were discharged from Rushden House Sanatorium, as Rushden Hospital was then known.  In the thirties T.B. was a killer and no real treatment was available.  Fresh air, rest and good food was ordered by wages were low, unemployment high and there was much less State help.

Patients were sent home often with many months’ convalescence before work and wages, or no prospects of work because of disability from T.B.  To tell a patient to go home, get more active and eat plenty of good food was a little use as most of the patients could not afford ‘plenty of good food’.

With this need in mind, the After-Care was formed.  Care is given in the form of Food Vouchers, visits to patients at home, outings and special grants, to those that need them.  These grants have varied over the years, but are now:  7 pints of milk, 6 eggs, £2 grocery per week, every week.  Special grants include £15 cash at Christmas and £10 cash at Holiday Time.  All Rushden patients in Rushden Hospital are visited at least once a month and are given £1 in cash as extra pocket money.

The Visiting Committee meets every month and has before it a list of all Rushden patients who were discharged from Rushden Hospital during the past month.  This Committee is chaired by the Consultant Physician at Rushden Hospital, Dr Shahid.  The circumstances and needs of these patients are known, or if not known, a member of the Visiting Committee is delegated to visit the patient to assess the need.  The Visiting Committee is part of the After-Care and consists of 15 men and women, 7 of whom are active visitors who each have an area in Rushden, and any patients from their area are visited by them twice a month, once to take their vouchers and once a few days before the meeting, to ascertain their general state of health, and any special needs that may arise.

As there is much less T.B. infection now and the social conditions of the thirties no longer prevail, we are dealing with a different type of patient.  There still is T.B. and this is always given priority but after care is now given to patients suffering from any chronic chest illness and Lung Cancer.  Many patients are Old Age Pensioners and their grant may continue for many years.

At present the Committee spends well over £3000 per year on its patients.  This money is raised in many ways, including Christmas Seals, Hospital ‘AT HOME’, sports events, collections and donations.  We also receive £150 per year from the County Council to cover administration expenses.

The After-Care therefore gives help to cover the gap between Hospital and work.  Nurses are often aware of this need but may not know that this help is at hand.  As there are After-Care Committees in many parts of this area, very many of our patients can be helped.  Any nurse who knows of one of their patients in need should refer this need to the Ward Sister or social Welfare Officer, who will then contact the patient’s local After-Care Committee.

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