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35
X-Ray Service
It is now necessary under the Ministry of Education scheme
for all newly appointed school teachers to have an X-ray examination
of the chest on their appointment and thereafter annually.
In this connection 201 examinations were carried out in 1954 of
staff coming into contact with children, such as teachers, the
staff of nursery schools, residential schools and homes.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY

TUBERCULOSIS AFTER-CARE
I am indebted to Miss Bridger, Almoner of the Chest Clinic,
for the following reports:-
In 1954, the After Care Scheme continued in very much the
same way as in previous years, voluntary sources being called upon
to provide extra comforts to supplement the basic provisions
available from statutory sources.
The National Assistance Board is, of course, the principal
agency for supplementing National Insurance benefits, and at
31.12.54 198 families were receiving the special tuberculosis
treatment allowance. Of these, 41 of the patients were in hospital,
and 157 athome. Of these 157 patients, the vast majority had
been discharged after treatment and returned to work shortly
afterwards.
Voluntary sources contributed very greatly to the patients'
welfare, and over £500 was raised to meet special needs. To quote
3 examples, one man had an interest free loan to enable him to
buy a car, to reduce fatigue in travelling to and from work;
another was enabled to buy a light tractor, to reduce the strain
of cultivating his small holding, and a third was provided with
a small greenhouse so that he could pursue his hobby while he was
as yet unfit for work. The grant from the Sunday Cinemas Fund has
again been invaluable in meeting small but urgent needs which
cannot be covered from any other fund.
I am particularly grateful to the Norwood Round Table for the
interest they have taken in our patients and the projects they
have in view for future help. Their most practical gift of groceries
and toys at Christmas time brought pleasure to many families