The Setting Up of the Rushden Tuberculosis After-Care Committee in 1929

Aerial view of Rushden Hospital where patients suffering from tuberculosis were treated

It was at a meeting held in the Council Chamber on 29 December 1929 that the question of forming a committee in Rushden to work with the County Tuberculosis After Care Committee was discussed. Dr. Greenfield occupied the chair, supported by Mr Gadd, Secretary of the Wellingborough Urban District Council, Dr Muiriset, Medical Officer of Health, Dr Crane, Superintendent of the Rushden House Sanatorium and about 40 representatives of various organisations in the town.

Picture of the San in 1932

Dr Greenfield said they were inaugurating a new work in the town, and one of the greatest value. There was in existence a very efficient service for the treatment of people suffering from tuberculosis, but unfortunately, when they were discharged from the Sanatorium they, in many cases, returned to work under conditions which were unsuitable. This being so, it had gradually been realised that there must be some means devised for the after care of the tuberculous. In this district the conditions were not good for the patient just discharged from the Sanatorium. At first sight it seemed a difficult problem and the question of employment was not the least. At any rate, they must show the tuberculous patient that they were trying to do their share to meet his particular needs and to show that he was not neglected and that they were doing their best for him.

Mr Gadd, secretary of the Wellingborough Area Committee explained the objects of the scheme. Published by the County Council, it was for the formation of an After Care Committee of 30 members to include representatives of the County Council, Urban and Rural District Councils, The Northants Nursing Association, the Insurance Committee, the  British Medical Association, Employment Exchanges, the British Legion,  the United Services, the  Rotary Club, the  Boot and Shoe Manufacturers Association, the  Boot and Shoe Operatives Union, the Chamber of Commerce, the Trades and Labour Council, and Friendly Societies. The county was divided into 6 areas and Rushden and Higham might have a sub-committee.

Mr Gadd went on to explain that there were in Rushden 72 dispensary cases of TB and in Higham 15. The After-Care Committee would appoint visitors and these cases would be visited if they so desired. 32 out of the 76 cases in Rushden had replied that they would be pleased to receive visits from the committee, 10 had definitely refused while the remainder had given no reply. The After-Care Committee was really an intermediary between the Public Health Committee and the County Council and the district committee. The committee proposed to deal with a number of important points, among them the provision of extra nourishment from voluntary sources, of suitable shelters, better housing accommodation, and homes in cases where the mother was tuberculous.

The problem of employment was bound to be difficult for the man discharged from the Sanatorium was handicapped in competing on the open market where employment was available and the travelling from place to place had a bad effect on the man in general. Furthermore, most employers who paid a man a £1 wage expected a full pound’s worth of work from him and this, very often, the discharged man could not give.

With regard to the financial side, the County Council were prepared to defray all administrative costs and to make a donation of £2 per 1,000 of the population. The rest would have to come from voluntary sources.

In reply to Dr. Greenfield, Mr Gadd said that as the population was around 300,000 the grant from the County Council would be about £600.

Dr Muiriset, emphasising the need of such a committee, said that the after care of TB had always been a difficult subject. Much good work was being done when the War broke out to hinder it. The question of employment was one they tried to deal with efficiently. They had suggested a factory solely for TB patients and before the War a good deal had been done towards getting such an institution working. It would be very difficult to carry on such a factory because they were limited to that particular type and men often going sick would be another problem. In this district the factory need not necessarily be a boot factory. If they could do something in the way of setting up a workshop for woodwork or any other kind of work it would go a long way towards making the patient feel that he was not drifting. This drifting was most demoralising. A man gradually degenerated if he thought nobody wanted him, and he went farther and farther down. Moreover, it was his unfortunate dependents who had to suffer, and they were citizens of the future.

“There is tremendous work to be done” concluded Dr Muiriset, “and it is going to be difficult work. The tuberculous person does not see things as we see them , and a great deal of patience and persistence will be necessary to help these people against their own wishes.”

Dr Crane said that the question of housing was a difficult one and something would have to be done in that direction. Patients came out of the Sanatorium, and after living in the open air for six months went home to houses inadequately ventilated, as a result of which their health was bound to go back. That was the great point of the whole scheme.

Referring to employment, Dr Crane said some of the plans would be very costly because it was difficult to teach an adult a new trade. It was possible to provide them with shorter hours and lighter work in the job to which they were trained. There was other employment such as that of park keepers, to which the men could be put.

Dr Crane went on: “There is an impression that this is only for people who have been in a Sanatorium, but it is the people who have not who need the most help.”

Referring to the work facing the visitors, Dr Crane said “The visitors have very hard work before them. The TB patient has a poisoned mind as well as a poisoned body, and unless great tact is used the door will be shut to them and will not be reopened.”

Mr A Willmott proposed that a sub committee be formed for the Urban District of Rushden. This was seconded by Mr Wood and carried unanimously. Dr Greenfield was elected Chairman, Miss A M Sharwood secretary, Mr W. F Capon Treasurer and it was decided that every organisation be asked to send one representative who would form the General Committee. Organisations who sent representatives included The Adult School, the Town Band Club, the Conservative Club, the Windmill Club, St Mary’s Church, the Independant Wesleyans, the Free Gardeners and many more.

According to the Northamptonshire County Council Scheme for the Establishment of Tuberculosis Care Committees, adopted in October 1928, the duties of the Committees were to be as follows:

• Provide extra nourishment from voluntary sources
• Advise the Central Committee and the Public Health Committee on the supply of extra nourishment from the provision made in the estimates of the county council
• Assist in the provision of suitable sites for shelters
• Assist in obtaining better housing  accommodation
• Provide home help if the mother is tuberculous
• Assist in the provision of splints and appliances
• Advise as to insurance benefits, pensions etc
• Educate the patient and family with regard to hygiene etc
• Assist in finding suitable employment
• Arrange for children to sleep elsewhere id accommodation at home is insufficient
• Provide clothing where necessary
• Arrange for the conveyance of patients to institutions
• Interview landlords about taking out windows and fitting weather screens
• Report on the condition of shelters
• Committee members and Voluntary Visitors were to visit and advise patients and help them carry out recommendations with regard to treatment made by the Medical Officer of Health.

Each District Care Committee or Local Visitor was to co-operate with local charities and other agencies to endeavour to provide such assistance out of voluntary funds as may be necessary, and in particular to advise and assist patients in their endeavour to obtain suitable work.

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