The Rushden Tuberculosis After Care Committee

Report for the twelve months, January 1st to December 31st, 1963

The 32nd Annual General Meeting was held in the Council Buildings on February 12th.  We regretted that bad road conditions prevented our President, Dr G.B. Lord, attending.  The Chair was taken by Mr A.C.A. Colton and we were pleased to welcome Dr P.X. Bermingham, medical Officer of Health, and the Chairman of the Council, Councillor C. Freeman.  Officers re‑elected were President Dr G.B. Lord, Vice Presidents Mr W.E. Capon and Mr H. Whiting, Chairman Executive Committee Mr A.C.A. Colton, Vice-Chairman Mr T.R. Thacker, Chairman Visiting Committee Dr O.E. Fisher, Hon. Treasurer Mr E. Randall, Hon. Secretary Visiting Committee Mr H.W. Puddefoot, Joint Hon. General Secretaries Miss A.M. Sharwood and Mrs H. Wood.

The Executive Committee of 38 members (27 of whom are elected by organisation of the town) has held ten meetings during the year at which there has been an average attendance of 26.

We regret the death of Mr F. Eyre following a long illness.  He was made a life member in 1962 after 23 years active service on the Executive and Visiting Committee.

We were sorry to lose Miss Millgate who left the district upon her retirement as Health Visitor.  At the March meeting, at which Dr Lord presided, she was presented with a cheque and was made a life member of the committee in recognition of her long connection with the Visiting Committee.  In July Miss Taylor left the town and her place was taken by Miss O. Phillips representing the National Union of Teachers.

The widened scope of Care work has again been the main consideration of the Committee.  Tuberculosis, Bronchitis and other chest illnesses have been to the fore.  In consultation with the medical practitioner, assistance is being given to a man suffering from the after effects of a stroke who is unable to follow his normal occupation.  Mrs Hensman is teaching him leather work and a grant of eggs, milk and grocery is being given to him.  The patient and his family are very appreciative of the interest and help of the Committee.

In June Mr Puddefoot attended a Study Day arranged by the Chest and Heart Association on the education and rehabilitation of the chest and heart patient and several delegates went to the Spring and Autumn Conferences of the Northampton & County Care Committee which were held at Desborough and Daventry.

Members of the Visiting Committee have made monthly visits to patients and have assessed the amount of help needed.  Grants of milk, grocery, eggs and coal have been made.  An average of 12 full grants (14 pints milk, 6 eggs and 10 shillings grocery) and 10 part grants have been given each month, these being considerably over those of the previous year.  13 Christmas Gift vouchers of £2 each were distributed and 3 patients had recuperative holidays at Cliftonville.

During the year there have been 5 notifications of tuberculosis and 23 of other chest disorders; 9 deaths (2 T.B. and 7 non T.B.) and 12 T.B. patients have been removed from the register as recovered.

In January patients and their families were entertained to the Rushden pantomime.  On July 11th a country care ride with supper at Overstone for patients and their wives was an enjoyable evening.  Patients from Higham Ferrers joined in the outing and supper was provided by an anonymous member of the Committee.

The help and advice which Dr Fisher gives as Chairman of the Committee is appreciated.  We thank Mr Puddefoot for the work and time he has given as Secretary, the Health Visitors for attending the monthly meetings and the members of the Visiting Committee for the untiring efforts.

Visits to Rushden Hospital have continued during the year and monthly cash grants of 10 shillings each have been given to Rushden Wymington patients.  Two patients of the Hospital from rural areas not covered by the Care Committee have been adopted and visited.

Activities of the year have been:-

January 19th the annual tea and concert for the patients and staff of Rushden Hospital arranged in conjunction with the Higham Ferrers Committee.  The inclement weather, one of the worst days of the winter, did not dampen the spirit of the occasion which was a happy one for guests and helpers.  Two large iced cakes were provided by the Higham Ferrers Committee, made by Mrs Faulkner.  After tea (at which Charles and his band played) a concert was given by members of the Rushden pantomime with Mr C. Jones as compére.  We are grateful to all friends for donations and gifts and for providing entertainment.

A wet evening for the “At Home” held at Rushden Hospital on the 24th June did not affect the attendance.  A Bring and Buy stall and competitions helped in raising the sum of £100 net.  Visitors appreciated the tours of the Hospital which were arranged by Dr Fisher.

The December meeting was a social occasion to mark the 80tthh birthday of Mrs Hensman.  She was presented with a marcasite brooch as a token of esteem and appreciation.  After 30 years of devoted service she is still an active member of the Committee and is doing valuable work at the Rushden Hospital as honorary Occupational Therapist and Librarian.

The chief financial efforts of the year have again been the Factory Collection and the Seal Sale which provide the main sources of income.

The Factory Collection was taken during the weekend May 10th-13th and, in view of the unsettled state of the staple industry of the town, the result of £331-16s-6d was most gratifying, being only £4 lower than the previous year.  We thank all contributors, also the Shoe Manufacturers’ Association and the Boot & Shoe Operatives Union for their co-operation.

The Seal Sale was launched in November by the distribution of seals to householders in Rushden and Wymington.  The gross result of £388 was achieved by the co-operative effort of many people who helped by addressing envelopes, delivering and acting as depots and to whom acknowledge our indebtedness.

We are very grateful to the Bowls Committee and to the lady bowlers for the gift of £100, the result of the triples competition.

Administrative expenses have been refunded by the County Council so that all income received is spent in the town for the benefit of patients.

We thank Mr J.T.F. Browning for auditing the accounts, the R.U.D.C. and the Library Committee for the use of rooms for meetings, the Press for reports, and Mr Colton and the officers of the Committee for their leadership.

Finally we express our gratitude to all organisations and friends who by their financial help and interest have enabled us to carry on the work for another year.

Notification of Patients		1963		1962
Notifications of Tuberculosis during the year		5		1
Notifications of other disorders of the chest		23		25
Deaths from T.B.		2		1
Deaths from other disorders of the chest		7		6
Patients removed from the register as recovered (T.B.)		12		12
Admissions to Rushden Hospital during the year (4 T.B. and 42 non T.B.)		46		33
Patients in Rushden Hospital 31/12/63 (2 T.B., 3 non T.B.)		5
Summary of Grants to Patients		1963		1962
Eggs		5840		4548
Milk (gallons)		1633		1411
Grocery vouchers of 10 shillings each		582		354
Coal (cwt.)		90		104
Christmas Gift Vouchers		13		12
Convalescent Holidays		3		2
Value of full grant to a patient per month approx. £4-9s-8d. Patients receiving grants 31/12/63 - 6 T.B. and 16 non T.B.

	A.M. Sharwood
	Hon. Secretary			January 1964

click here to return to the TB Aftercare Committee main page