London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Family Doctor 13
Health Visitor 47
Domiciliary Midwife 15
Social Worker 2
F.P. Association 1
Hospital 3
Some patients, after a few visits by the doctor and nurse, responded well to encouragement and were
successfully "weaned" to attend a local family planning clinic. In this respect, the service has undoubtedly
proved necessary and worthwhile.
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
This service continued to be provided mainly by means of sessions held in conjunction with Family
Planning Clinics; there was only one fortnightly session held for the sole purpose of taking smears.
The national five-year recall scheme came into operation on 1st January, 1972 and this provides for
all women who had smear tests from 1st January, 1967, onwards to be invited to have repeat tests at fiveyearly
intervals. In Islington the Cervical Cytology Service commenced in April, 1966, and the local scheme
for five-year recall was gradually merged with the national scheme.
During the year the total number of smears sent for examination was 2,333 compared with 1,293 in
1971, an increase of 80%; the findings were as follows:-
During the year the total number of smears sent for examination was 2,333 compared with 1,293 in 1971, an increase of 80%; the findings were as follows:-
| Five- year Recall | Others | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative results: | 238 | 1,965 | 2,203 |
| Negative smears with gynaecological disorders (excluding cancer) which required treatment: | 15 | 92 | 107 |
| Doubtful smears referred for repeat examination: | 2 | 21 | 23 |
| Positive Smears: | - | - | - |
| Totals | 255 | 2,078 | 2,333 |
| Under 25 | - | 681 | 681 |
| 25-34 | 34 | 834 | 868 |
| 35-44 | 85 | 365 | 450 |
| 45-54 | 82 | 139 | 221 |
| Over 55 | 54 | 59 | 113 |
The details given above for the five-year recalls represent a response of approximately 18% of the
total number of invitations sent. There were no replies to 47%, and a further 16% had moved out of the
borough. It might have been thought that the final response would have been higher but it is likely that
with the extended use of cervical cytology as a routine screening procedure in the fields of family planning,
gynaecology and obstetrics, many women had smears taken under these other arrangements and which
could account for many of those who did not reply at all; about 10% had replied saying they had been
retested.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
This service continued to be administered by the Public Health Department on behalf of the Social
Services Committee.
72