DIABETES SURVEY BEGINS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31340, 10 April 1967, Page 12

DIABETES SURVEY BEGINS

The first day of testing in a diabetes survey in the Rangiora Borough was completed most successfully on Saturday.

Altogether, 122 persons were associated with running the survey. “No problems at all—everything ran very smoothly and we have had a wonderful response and co-operation from the public,” said the organiser of the survey, Mr A. F. Scoggins. Between 9.10 a.m., when the first person proffered his arm for a blood sample, and 1.10 p.m., 600 persons had appointments. All ages were present—from those just the required 21 years of age to

I those in the 80s. One woman who presented herself for the test at the school was 86, and there were several more in that age group, said Mr Scoggins. Every facet of the survey was planned for speed and efficiency. The urine samples were tested at the school; the blood samples were rushed to another room and put in a refrigerator. Immediately 100 samples were collected, they were taken to the biochemistry department of the Christchurch Hospital. From about 10.30 a.m., about 12 members of the staff of the department were occupied in analysing these samples. Of the 600 appointments made, 584 attended. But of the 16 who did not attend several were ill and had made future appointments, said Mr Scoggins.

For the elderly or disabled, a “home-team” comprising Dr. A. P. Cotter and Sister J. Graham, Mr J. B. Bayley and Mrs R. Renouf visited their homes and took blood samples “on the spot.” Testing will continue during the next three Saturdays when 600 persons are expected to be tested each day. The survey has been arranged under the auspices of the Medical Research Council as part of a worldwide survey by the World Health Organisation concerning the incidence of “hidden” diabetes. The Rangiora survey has been made possible by a grant of £lOOO from the Canterbury Savings Bank. Many members of service organisations in Rangiora and hospital staff are co-operating in the testing arrangements.

The picture shows helpers and residents of the Rangiora Borough who took part in the survey on Saturday. Top left: Mesdames A. Scoggins and H. Conway fill in information forms for two of the volunteers for the test, Mr and Mrs L. C. R. Philpott Top right: Mr A. Rhodes (right) recording the weight of Mr J. D. Blake, while in the background Mr W. R. Woods checks the height of Mrs B. Cobden-Cox. Bottom left: Mrs M. Hudson, of the Christchurch Hospital staff, taking a blood sample from Mr A. McNae. Bottom left: One of the home-visiting team, Mr J. B. Bayley, handing in blood samples to Mr T. M. Penny at the test headquarters at the Rangiora Borough School.