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101
Phenylketonuria—Guthrie Test
Phenylketonuria is a metabolic disorder which causes mental
retardation unless detected and treated from the neo-natal period.
Development of a reliable blood test (the Guthrie Test) has
enabled an early diagnosis to be made of this condition and during
1969 there were arrangements between the local hospitals and the
Department for all infants whether at home or in hospital to have
this test on the 6th day of life. In the case of domiciliary births
and early discharge cases the Local Authority midwives take the
blood specimens and despatch them to the laboratory.
No cases of Phenylketonuria were detected during the current
year.
Midwifery Training—Part II
A scheme for the training of midwives is undertaken in cooperation
with the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies, with
each pupil spending 3 months on the district.
No. of Pupils completing Course during year 28
No. of Pupils in Training at 31/12/70 7*
*British Hospital for Mothers and Babies 5
Greenwich District Hospital 2
Refresher Courses
In accordance with the rules of the Central Midwives Board,
three midwives attended Statutory Refresher Courses during the
year, each of one week's duration.
In addition, midwives were released for courses as under:—
7 Study Days (2)—B.H.M.B.
Obstetric students spent a day with a midwife at the following
hospitals:—
10 at B.H.M.B.
19 at Military Families Hospital.
Cervical Cytology
General and individual publicity was again increased during
1970 to encourage women, particularly those in "risk" categories,
to use this service.
Many women are investigated in the surgeries of their family
doctors or at the Family Planning Clinics, but the number taking
advantage of the Council's service increased during the current
year by 78.1% to a total of 1,849.
The following statistics indicate the work undertaken in the
various clinics during 1970:—