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Cervical Cytology
A special Sub-Committee of the North London Group Medical Advisory Committee was
set up in this area early in 1966 of which the Medical Officer of Health was the
Chairman. This Sub-Committee was formed to consider the problems arising from the
collection and examination of cervical smears for the diagnosis of cervical cytology.
Members of the Committee included representatives of local General Practitioners,
Hospital Medical Officers and the Medical officers of Health of the adjoining Boroughs
of Camden and Haringey. At its second meeting in November 1966, the implications of
Ministry of Health circular 18/66 and HM (66) 76 were discussed, and arising therefrom,
a local Co-ordinating Committee for population screening for cancer of the cervix was
set up under the chairmanship of the Medical Officer of Health of the London Borough of
Islington.
This Council, with the concurrence of the Ministry of Health, decided to provide a
service for the collection of cervical smears from well women for cytological
investigation by the Pathologist at the Royal Northern Hospital who was able to undertake
a limited service in this respect. The first clinic commenced at the East Islington
Welfare Centre, Drayton Park in April 1966, and a second clinic was opened at the Pine
Street Welfare Centre in November 1966. It was decided to offer this service to women
aged 25 years and over, resident or working in the Borough, and all attendances were by
appointment.
As the number of smears that could be taken was limited, it was not possible to
give the amount of publicity to the new service that the Council would have wished.
Publicity was however given to the subject of cytology in the national press and on
radio and television and as a result a good number of enquiries were received from
members of the public, particularly from commercial firms employing large numbers of
women, as to the availability of the Council's service. The first clinic opened, at
East Islington Welfare Centre, had by the end of 1966 a fairly long waiting list.
It was appreciated at an early stage that in the work of the Cytology Clinic it
would be particularly important to maintain comprehensive records, especially as
periodic re-examinations are advised. Much consideration was, therefore, given to
devising the necessary new record forms and since at this time discussions were
proceeding with the Borough Treasurer's Department in regard to the application of the
computer service to the needs of the Health Department, the record card finally agreed
upon was in such a form as would enable the entries to be computer processed. This was
the first attempt at such a scheme and although by the end of the year the total
numbers were relatively small for such a method, it did serve a useful purpose as a
pilot trial. The analysis of the Cytology Clinic work given below could have been
produced by the traditional methods, but, in fact, was done entirely by the Computer
Staff, and the personal interest of Mr. Chasteauneuf, the Computer Manager, was greatly
appreciated.
Cytology statistics to 31.12.66
Total Number of Cases Shown - 263
(of these 35 were at Pine Street and 228 at Drayton Park)
Results:
258 Normal
4 Other gynecological disorders (excluding cancer) which
required treatment. These women were referred either to
their general practitioner or directly for gynecological
advice and treatment.
1 Doubtful case referred for repeat examination.
71