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Transcribed by Greville Watson, November 2010 |
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Northamptonshire County Council [Extract]
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70 beds were available during the year for the treatment of patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. These were allocated as follows:– Men 28, women 28, children 14 (boys 7, girls 7). Of these beds, 14 only are available for acute and advanced cases. An average of 69.15 beds has been occupied, or 0.45 below 1930 which was the highest figure since the opening of the institution. The London County Council kept an average of 10.8 beds occupied. As in previous years, more cases of a particularly heavy type had to be admitted, owing to lack of accommodation elsewhere for such cases. I can only repeat what I stated in the last Report, that this is very undesirable in a Sanatorium. To meet the need for accommodation of acute and advanced cases, the Public Health Committee brought forward a scheme for the utilization of the Infirmary at Thrapston Public Assistance Institution. This Infirmary would have accommodated 34 such cases. Unfortunately the scheme involved considerable capital expenditure in the re‑construction of the House to provide administrative and nursing quarters and, therefore, owing to the call for economy throughout the country, it was reluctantly abandoned. In substitution for this Thrapston scheme a proposal was brought forward to build an additional hospital ward in the grounds of Rushden Sanatorium. The plans provided for a ward of 14 beds and for certain additions to the staff accommodation. The advantages of the alternative scheme were (a) a reduction in the capital cost and (b) a very great reduction in the maintenance costs owing to the fact that it would not be necessary to set up a new administrative unit. The Rushden scheme was considered favourably by the Tuberculosis Institutions Sub‑Committee and by the Public Health Committee, and the proposal is still under consideration by the County Council. It is hoped during the coming year to make improvements to the children’s playground, and to some of the paths, under the supervision of the |
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Gifts
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Clothing, boots, magazines, books, games, toys, etc., have again been generously given by friends of the Sanatorium, and the Medical Superintendent expresses his thanks for these gifts. The Rushden and Higham Ferrers branch of the Royal Antidiluvian Order of Buffaloes has very kindly promised to instal a large radio-gramophone early in the coming year, with loud speakers in both house wards, both recreation rooms and in the children’s ward. The Medical Superintendent is deeply grateful for this promise, knowing how much the radio-gramophone will be appreciated by the patients, and how helpful it will be to them during their stay at the Sanatorium. |
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School
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The Medical Superintendent received valuable assistance from female patients in the instruction of the children. Only patients with no sputum are allowed to give such help. |
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General
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The farm and garden have again been run at a profit, as has been the case since the opening of the Sanatorium, and this is mainly due to the excellent management of the Medical Superintendent. I am glad to report that both male and female patients have given willing and useful assistance in the upkeep of buildings and grounds and have taken a real interest in the work. Prior to their discharge from the Sanatorium, all patients receive printed instructions to report to the Tuberculosis Officer at the nearest Dispensary before returning to work or school. The Medical Superintendent encourages all ex‑patients to keep in touch with him, and it is very gratifying that many have done so during the year, either by personal visit, letter or messages sent with friends. The District Medical Officers of Health are notified of the admission and discharge of all patients, and the Honorary Secretaries of the Tuberculosis Area Committee are informed of the discharges to their particular areas. Knowing the importance of After-Care work and the help given from this source to the patients who have left the Sanatorium, the Medical Superintendent has met the local Visiting Committee of the After-Care Committee, once each month at the Sanatorium, for the purpose of discussing the various problems that have arisen in the course of their visits to patients and for giving them instruction in this work. |
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