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"During the mobile period the Unit visited several firms in the City of London and carried
out a special Survey in Finsbury, when the Unit operated in the Finsbury Health f.entre, rine
Street, London, E.C.I, by kind permission of the Public Health Committee of the Borough of
Finsbury. About 250 firms participated in this Survey, which took place from the 14th June to the
6th July. Particular emphasis was laid on firms operating in the northern sector of the Borough,
as those in the southern area are conveniently situated to the Mass Radiography Centre at Golden
Lane. Also in this Survey were included firms in the Ludgate Circus area, as there is direct
transport facilities to the Health Centre.
"During the Finsbury Survey some Public Sessions were held at which no appointments were
necessary. The usual publicity, e.g. posters, handbills, etc., was used, but the attendances at
these Sessions were disappointing. At the request of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury
(Dr. C.O.S. Blyth Brooke) special sessions were set aside for the examination of elderly folk.
"We would like to take this opportunity of recording our grateful appreciation to the Medical
Officer of Health and his staff for their helpfulness during this Survey.
"The attendance at the Public Sessions amounted to 542 with 4,299 at the Planned Sessions.
Eight cases of active tuberculosis and 11 cases of inactive tuberculosis were discovered, as
well as 2 cases of carcinoma of the lung.
"As this Unit does not have the usual X-ray van and trailer, it is necessary for our apparatus
to be installed within a firm's premises, and so every endeavour is made during the mobile period
to X-ray either firms in the vicinity of a particular site or firms associated with the Company in
which the apparatus has been installed. One case in point during 1956 was the Union International
Company, when we X-rayed the staffs of 20 associated firms.
"Of the firms examined during 1956 a high proportion were small or new firms. Of the total
number X-rayed about 42% had not been X-rayed before or been examined for three years or more.
"No Public Sessions, that is sessions without appointment, were arranged while the Unit
operated at the Mass Radiography Centre, but a large number of the general public have been
X-rayed there, as well as doctors' cases.
"ZONE OF UNIT The zone of Unit 6D remains the same, viz., the City of London and the
Metropolitan Boroughs of Finsbury and Shoreditch, with the administrative offices at the Finsbury
Health Centre, Pine Street, London, E.C.I. Owing to the intensive day population there is a great
demand for the services of the Unit, not only from new firms which are constantly being discovered
as a result of our circulations, but also old firms requiring repeat examinations which are carried
out at approximntely two yearly intervals.
"METHOD OF OPERATION The Unit has continued its normal procedure while operating
at the Mass Radiography Centre of holding miniature sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays, from 9.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Separate sessions have been
arranged for men and women, and there has again been a predominance of men. Tuesdays and
Thursdays have been allocated for reading miniature films, taking and reading large films and
interviews by the Medical Director, and for the dispatch of results to examinees, who provide
the stamped (2½d.) addresse envelope. Examinees receive their results within a week.
"During the mobile period the sessions may have had to be slightly varied depending upon
circumstances. Whenever possible, a firm's internal postal system is used for the circulation of
examination results, as this provides a saving in time for recalls for large films. Also during
the mobile period, miniature films are read almost daily, so that there is no unnecessary delay
over the taking of large films.
"Except for large films, examinees are X-rayed over their clothes; ladies being advised
what to avoid wearing on the day of examination.
"The Unit has emphasised the importance of newly appointed staff being X-rayed, and this
is being adopted by a large number of City firms. The results of such examinations are, of
course, sent direct to examinees.
"PROPAGANDA This item of expenditure continues to be very low for this Unit and is
only incurred when circumstances warrant it, as, for example, when the Unit pays its periodical
visits to Finsbury or Shoreditch.
"STAFF During the year under review, notwithstanding sundry changes in both technical
and clerical staff, all members have provided an efficient and courteous service which has been
fully appreciated by those attending the Unit.
"MEDICAL PROCEDURE Abnormal cases have an interview with the Medical Director
and are referred through the examinee's own doctor to the appropriate Chest Clinic; the ultimate
diagnosis being secured from the latter. We express our grateful thanks to the many Chest
Clinics, to which we have referred cases, for their helpful co-operation.
"The Unit classifies its abnormal miniatures, and appropriate notification is passed to the
examinee. Where an investigation is outside the purview of a Chest Clinic, the co-operation of
St. Bartholomew's Hospital is secured. The help rendered by Dr. N.C. Oswald and his colleagues
is herewith gratefully acknowledged.
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