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64
Unmarried mothers
The special needs of unmarried mothers appear to be changing.
The majority of these mothers now use the normal maternity
services. Many of them need special help and support from the
health visitors and hospital medical social workers. Some seek the
help of the Moral Welfare Worker and we are grateful that these
workers maintain such a good contact with our staff. One of the
great problems for the unmarried mother who wishes to keep her
baby and cannot return to her family is to find suitable accommodation
at a rent which she can afford. Not all unmarried mothers
are unsupported but most of them lack security.
During the year, one of the three mother-and-baby homes in the
Borough was closed and another one will probably close early in
the new year. This emphasizes the changing pattern in this field of
work in the country as a whole.
Cervical cytology
The cervical cytology service continued to be used by women
residing or working in the Borough. In spite of the national decline
in demand for the service, our clinics were well attended.
The average number of eight patients per session allowed the
doctor enough time to carry out a full gynaecological and breast
examination and also permitted general health counselling. The
practising women doctors are usually experienced in gynaecology
and obstetrics and are interested in the preventive aspect of this
type of work. Some general practitioners in the area wish to provide
the services of cervical cytology themselves but the majority
encourage their own patients to attend our clinics.
It is to be noted that the incidence of malignancy has increased
considerably and in the year 1968 one smear in 129 was found to
be positive while sixteen cases of obvious or potential cancer
were detected. This was more than twice the incidence noted in
1967. In addition to cases of malignancy, numerous morbid conditions
were detected, some necessitating hospital treatment.