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Cervical Cytology
Regular fortnightly sessions were held during the year at the South
Kensington,, Holland Street and St. Quintin Health Centres, There
were 593 attendances at 72 sessions and two positive smears were
recorded.
Since 1967 the Council has accepted financial responsibility
for the screening service provided at a well woman clinic at the
Royal Marsden Hospital. During 1970, 370 residents attended this
clinic and 3 positive smears resulted.
The number of women availing themselves of this service
voluntarily can only be described as disappointing. A much larger
number of women,, but mostly of child bearing age , are having smears
taken when they attend hospital obstetrical or gynaecological
departments and family planning clinics. The majority of these are
under 35 and not in the 'at risk' group and it is clear that future
effort will need to be directed at women over 35 who are particularly
at risk and many of whom seem not to be influenced, or perhaps even
reached,, by methods of health education used so far.
Family Planning
Family planning services within the borough continued to be
provided by the West London Branch of the Family Planning Association.
Regular sessions are held each week at five premises in the borough,,
including two Council Health Centres. which are used by the Association
free of charge.
The Council have implemented the provisions of the National
Health Service (Family Planning) Act, 1967. and the service is
available at clinics in the borough to all borough residents whether
married or unmarried, over the age of 16 years. The Council accept
financial responsibility for advice. treatment and appliances
supplied except in those cases where there has been no recommendation
on medical or medico-social grounds, when the woman is expected to
pay for her own pills and appliances. Where the recipient is deemed
to be in necessitous circumstances, i.e., is receiving, or eligible
to receive, supplementary benefit, the Council undertake payment in
full. During 1970, the Council met the cost of family planning for
3.765 (3.197) residents.