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Transcribed by Greville Watson, November 2010 |
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Northamptonshire County Council [Extract]
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Throughout the year, 84 beds were available for the treatment of patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. These were allocated as follows:- Men 35, Women 35, Children 14 (Boys 7, Girls 7). Of these beds, 28 were available for acute and advanced cases, as against 14 beds formerly in use. In addition, a separate room is fitted up in the administrative block, with an emergency bed for an acute or advanced case when required. Two and at times four beds were at the service of the Tuberculosis Officer for the purpose of special treatment, such as artificial pneumothorax and gold therapy. An average of 83.1 beds was occupied throughout the year. The London County Council kept an average of 9.2 beds occupied. There were 143 admissions (65 males, 69 females, 9 children) and 143 discharges (67 males, 67 females, 9 children). A large percentage of the adult cases admitted were of a serious and heavy type with well marked disease. About one fourth of the male patients and one eighth of the female patients admitted were engaged in the boot and shoe industry. The electric supply to the Sanatorium, with the exception of the new block, is still direct current, but arrangements have been made to instal alternating current in the administrative block when the X‑ray plant is installed. The roads and paths have been kept in good repair during the year by the |
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Gifts
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School
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Women patients free from infection continue to give useful help in the instruction of the children, and special help was given by one ex‑teacher patient. |
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Farm and Garden
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The farm and garden have been very efficiently run by the sanatorium gardener. There was no Fruit Exhibit as the usual Show was not held during the year. |
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General
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The chief exercises and occupations are walking, gardening, (including fruit growing and packing), poultry rearing, pig keeping, joinery, carpentry, painting. Demonstrations were given in grafting of fruit trees by the As previously, there are facilities for repair of boots and shoes, and indoor leisure such as leather work, beadwork, making of hats, rugs, toys, garments and milk pail covers. Most useful leather and beadwork has been done during the year and a ready market was found for the finished articles. A lady teacher and a male ex‑patient have been most helpful with the leather and beadwork. The patients continue to give useful assistance in the upkeep of the grounds and buildings. It is of the upmost important that patients, after leaving the Sanatorium, should report to the Tuberculosis Officer. To aid in this direction, the Medical Superintendent sees all patients on discharge, and, in addition, each discharged patient receives printed instructions to this effect. In the case of children, the parent or guardian receives these instructions. They are also advised to get in touch immediately with their own doctor. The Medical Superintendent encourages all ex‑patients to keep in close touch with him, and it is gratifying that many do so. A very important scheme of development at the Sanatorium is contemplated, and it is hoped to start on the first part of it in 1936. Briefly, the scheme is as follows:- (1) Replacement of the present wooden unheated pavilions by permanent, heated buildings built of brick, viz. : (a) a block of 20 beds for female patients in the field beside the recent new block, which will contain dining and reading-room ; (b) a two-storeyed block for 34 male patients on the site of the present men’s pavilions – when this is erected all patients will be removed from the administrative block, the acute and advanced cases being housed on the ground floor of this new block ; (c) a new block for 12 children near the site of the present children’s pavilion. These replacements will make accommodation for a total of 80 patients, as against the present total of 84. (2) Conversion of the present ground floor ward in the administrative block into a dining and reading-room for male patients ; and of the upstairs wards in the administrative block into bedrooms for staff. The present patients’ dining-room will be used as a dining-room for the nursing staff, and the present nurses’ dining-room will be used as a dining-room for maids. (3) Appointment of an Assistant Resident Medical Officer. The present quarters used by the night nursing staff will be converted into a flat for this officer. (4) The Consulting room in the administrative block will be divided into two parts, one for an X‑ray plant, and the other will be used for such minor operations as artificial pneumothorax. The present dispensary will be renovated so as to be used both as a dispensary and X‑ray dark room. The X‑ray plant at the Wellingborough Clinic will be transferred to the Sanatorium. As soon as this takes place, such treatment as artificial pneumothorax and gold therapy will be undertaken at the Sanatorium. (5) Renovations and alterations in the present kitchen and stores. |
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