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37
Mass Radiography
Following receipt of Department of Health and Social Security
circular 1HM(69)97, hospital authorities reviewed the effectiveness
of the Mass Miniature Radiography Service and considered how the
need for chest x-ray services could best be met on the basis of an
integration within hospital radiological departments of mass
miniature radiography units.
The South West and North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Boards prepared proposals for implementing the Department's
requirements but in neither case was any immediate withdrawal of
mobile units planned,. It was envisaged, however, that they would
provide only a restricted screening service and a facility for
special epidemiological investigations„ Sessions held solely for
general public volunteers would be discontinued,.
From the point of view of the local health authority the mobile
mass miniature radiography service is of immense value not only in
screening large numbers of the public but also individual communities,
e.g., schools, business firms, staff of childrens homes/nurseries,
etc. To a large extent this latter group will be catered for in
the revised programmes, but it is a cause for concern that in the
long term the general public may well be deterred from seeking this
service by the travelling, waiting and general inconvenience of a
hospital visito
The mass radiography service is true preventive medicine, being
concerned in the main with ascertaining that people have healthy
chestso It is also concerned with positive findings, and here this
is not only to the advantage of the individual, it is also of
advantage to the community as it enables preventive measures to be
taken. On a cost/benefit basis mass radiography is no less rewarding
than many other elaborate and expensive screening procedures
currently being undertaken, e.g., Guthrie tests, cervical cytology.
It is noted from a recent mass radiography unit annual report that of
the total number of active cases of tuberculosis detected, no less than
54 per cent were either individual volunteers or in organised groups.
It was further noted that at one central London mass x-ray centre
approximately 46 per cent of active cases detected were not British
born.
Any restrictions in the availability of preventive health
measures must be viewed with concern. It is to be hoped therefore that
in formulating final plans for the future of the mass x-ray service
due regard will be had to the special needs of this borough where a
high proportion of multi-occupied accommodation with a mixed and highly
mobile population creates a greater risk of spread of infection.
PREVENTION OF ILLNESS. CARS AND AFTER-CARE
Chiropody
The new two-chair clinic at the Violet Melchett Centre, Flood
Walk, S.W.3., was opened in April. Local demand and an improvement
in staff recruitment soon enabled it to reach its peak operation of 20
sessions weekly, although this could not unfortunately be maintained
throughout the year, the average being nearly 18. Many of the clients
who came to this clinic used to attend the voluntarily-managed clinic
which was staffed from the Chelsea School of Chiropotfy at the Community
Centre, 385, Kings Road and closed early in the year.