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20
Mass X-Ray Service
(This Report was kindly supplied by the Organising Secretary of the
South West London Mass X-ray Service).
During 1958 Mobile Units of the South West London Mass X-Ray
Service made seventeen visits in the City of Westminster to provide
chest X-ray facilities for the staffs of firms and Government Departments,
and the staff and students of three University and training colleges.
The total numbers X-rayed were 13,414, and as a result of these visits
53 people were referred to chest clinics with a radiologically significant
lesion requiring further investigation.
In addition, a Mass X-ray Unit was installed at the Board of Trade,
Horse Guards Avenue, S.W.I, for ten days, when 2,492 X-ray examinations
were carried out, as a result of which 13 examinees were referred
to the chest clinics. For four months of the year a Mass X-ray Centre
was functioning at The New Gallery, Regent Street, W.l, where 16,462
people from firms and organisations in the W.l area were X-rayed, and
42 of these were referred to chest clinics.
The highest incidence rate was found, as might be expected, during
two visits to the London County Council Lodging House in Kemble
Street and visits to the Salvation Army Hostel and Church Army Hostels
in Great Peter Street. During these visits 831 people were examined, of
whom 50 were referred to the Chest Clinic, a rate of 6 • 02 per cent.
A mobile Unit made a weekly one-day visit to the Westminster Chest
Clinic until 29th August, after which, unfortunately, this accommodation
was no longer available because it was required for other purposes.
During the first eight months of the year, 6,571 examinations were
carried out, as a result of which 94 were referred to chest clinics. Of
these figures 3,197 and 79, respectively, were patients referred by general
practitioners. The closing down of this Centre, with the consequent loss
of regular weekly X-ray facilities in Westminster, has caused a great deal
of inconvenience to general practitioners, to the general public and to
firms. It has not yet been possible to find alternative accommodation
for a Unit to make a weekly visit, but enquiries are still being made.
Welfare op Old Persons
Westminster Old People's Welfare Association
This voluntary Association, whose members include representatives
of various bodies interested in the welfare of old people, continued its
activities in the City during the year. These activities include the
organisation in various parts of the City of 14 Darby and Joan Clubs, where
light refreshments and recreation are provided; arranging holidays at
seaside resorts, summer outings, Christmas parties, and other entertainments.
Special outings and parties were organised during the year for
handicapped old people, who by reason of their infirmities had not been
outside their homes for long periods. The distribution of gift parcels