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FAMILY PLANNING
In April, 1970, the Council extended its family planning service to include all Islington persons wishing
to make use of it, irrespective of medical or special social needs. All such persons are eligible to attend
Council clinics or clinics run by the Family Planning Association, which is grant-aided by the Council for
this purpose, the grant having been increased from £2,000 in 1969/70 to £8,000 in 1970/71. There is no
charge for advice and examination, and supplies are also provided free to those women needing this service
on health grounds. In other cases a charge is ordinarily made for supplies but this is reduced, or the supplies
provided free, in cases of hardship. General Practitioners providing this service to their own Islington
patients on social grounds may refer necessitous persons to a Council clinic to obtain supplies at reduced
charges or free.
The general practitioner is always consulted initially about persons seen at Council clinics when it is
proposed to prescribe oral contraceptives.
The Family Planning Association continued to hold a weekly "Advice for Young Persons" clinic, and
unmarried persons under 18 years of age, resident in Islington, referred to this special clinic, were seen and
advised free of charge, the Council accepting financial responsibility.
During 1970, the Council's clinics increased in number from seven (7) to eleven (11) per week. This
included one evening session and three combined with existing ante-natal clinics. There was a marked
increase in attendances at Council clinics which totalled 3,102 during 1970 compared with 1881 in 1969.
DOMICILIARY
Towards the end of 1968, a pilot scheme commenced to provide domiciliary birth control service for the
benefit of Islington women where family restriction is deemed advisable, but the mother is not willing or
able to attend the clinic. This pilot scheme continued to be administered by the Family Planning
Association during 1970, referrals being made by the Council's health visitors. By the end of 1970 a total of
41 referrals had been made to the Association for this service.
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Cervical Cytology sessions continued to run in conjunction with family planning sessions. By the end of
the year five sessions were being held each week. Attendances were by appointment, and the total number
of smears sent for examination was 1,153, a slight increase compared with 931 in 1969. The results were as
given below:
Normal 1,084
Other gynaecological disorders (excluding cancer) which required
treatment. These women were referred either to their general
practitioner or directly for gynaecological advice and treatment 51
99