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TUBERCULOSIS REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation Workshops
During the year under review, two men were admitted to the workshops for training as opposed
to nine the previous year. This was because of strict financial restrictions; it was only possible to
accept further trainees if somebody from the workshop left. Of the 35 cabinet makers at the
workshop, the Chest Physician has assessed eight as being capable of working only four hours a day.
It has in some cases been necessary, as a precautionary measure, for the number of hours worked to be
reduced at the beginning of the winter. The illustrated booklet which was issued last year has shown
definite improvement in the amount of orders being placed with the workshop. Trading figures for
1967 for orders received were £7,891.10s.0d. The work delivery during the year was to the value of
£9,756.18s.8d. During 1968 these figures showed a proportionable increase. The value of the year's
orders received was £13,413.1s.0d., orders delivered to a total of £12,619.5s.0d.
Mr. Osment, the Manager of the workshop since its inception in 1948, retired during the year.
Provision for extra nourishment for tuberculosis patients
The local authority provides in suitable cases on recommendation of the Chest Physician, extra
nourishment in the form of high protein food such as milk, dairy products and eggs. This is for
persons of a low income suffering from tuberculosis. During the year there were eleven patients
receiving extra nourishment.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
The recuperative holiday scheme operated by the Council is restricted to those persons who
after illness or operation would be likely to derive benefit by two weeks recuperative holiday in a
suitable home. If medical or nursing care is required, however, then this would become a
convalescent holiday and would be arranged through the hospital service. During the normal holiday
season it is far more difficult to obtain sufficient suitable placements and there is a natural
reluctance on the part of some patients to go away other than curing the summer. This creates a
problem of a heavy demand during the summer months and non-occupation of some recuperative
holiday homes during the winter. This year 150 applications were made for a recuperative holiday,
of which 104 were acceptable under the Council's scheme. 29 of these persons who were accepted
cancelled their holiday. This meant that in all the Council was financially responsible for 75 persons
having recuperative holidays.
49 children were recommended under Section 48 of the Education Act 1944, of whom 38 went
away for a recuperative holiday.
MASSAGE AND SPECIAL TREATMENT
During the year there were 26 establishments licensed for massage and special treatment.
Applications are made for the renewal of licences annually and the premises are inspected by a senior
medical officer. It was not found necessary to cancel or revoke any licences.
CHIROPODY SERVICE
During the year19 chiropodists were employed on a sessional basis at various clinics throughout
the Borough. 39 sessions were held weekly and in all a total of 1,807 people received treatment in
The Council's clinics. In addition to this, 175 persons were attended to in the surgeries of
chiropodists and a further 212 at the British Red Cross clinics.
Domiciliary visits provided treatment for a further 1,109 persons. In all 3,303 persons have
been provided with chiropody treatment through the local authority services. 742 applications were
received from persons requiring clinic appointments and a further 263, plus 97 transferred from
clinics, for domiciliary treatment. At the end of the year there were 370 patients waiting for
re-appointments for clinics and 241 new cases waiting for appointments and 57, plus 17 new cases
transferred from clinics, for domiciliary visits.
The entire question of chiropody provision is undergoing new thinking and I feel that
considerable re-arrangements must be made in the early part of 1969 to make drastic inroads into the
present waiting list.
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