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Prevention of Illness, Care and After-Care, (National IHealtn Service Act, 1946 - Section 26).
Screening for Cervical Cancer
The Council co-operated with hospitals and general practitioners in the development of this
service. During the year 93 (36) sessions were held at which 561 (365) attendances were made.
Health visitors continued to advise women on this aspect of health preventive measures.
Tuberculosis
I am indebted to Dr. H.C. Price and Dr. P. Stradling for the following Reports:Fulham
Chest Clinic
The general pattern of work has not changed appreciably during the year. A slight fall in the
total attendances was caused partly by the continued reduction in notified cases being admitted
to the inpatient unit, and the serious interruption in routine work caused by the closure of the inpatient
unit and its transfer on two occasions to alternative locations, finally settling down late
in 1967 in the reconstructed and air-conditioned ward unit. Shortage of most grades of staff throughout
the year due to various reasons, including sickness, also had their effect.
It is of interest to note that the total notifications of tuberculosis numbering 39 is exactly one
third of the figure ten years ago. During this period the deaths have only fallen from 38 to 26 which,
in spite of the small numbers involved, is a sobering thought. Only 27 notified cases were trans
ferred into the clinic compared with 52 in 1957. Ten years ago 54 patients came off the register
as cured; in 1967,71 were so removed.
The numbers of bronchitic patients referred is less than the previous year, due to the in
patient problems already mentioned, the effects of three mild winters and the corresponding absence
of RED warnings and the increasing use of broad spectrum antibiotics by the local general practitioners
early in the patients developing signs and symptoms of acutre bronchitis.