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
Lewisham 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
The examination of healthy women, by a simple smear test to detect
early changes in the neck of the womb, which could lead to cancer,
is carried out in cytology clinics, for well women in seven centres
in the borough, in all family planning clinics, and as part of the
examination of women attending the adult screening clinic. In
addition to the smear test both a full pelvic examination and
breast palpation are carried out which not infrequently reveal
other abnormalities requiring treatment. Patients attending
cytology and adult screening clinics are also instructed by
health visitors on self-examination of the breast.
Cervical smears are also taken by family doctors and when patients attend hospital.
| Place of Examination | No of women examined | No of women referred to GP with abnormalities or positive smear result |
|---|---|---|
| Well-women Cytology Clinics | 1,517 | 191 |
| Adult Screening Clinics | 275 | 31 |
| Family Planning Clinics | 4,053 | 86 |
| TOTAL | 5,845 | 308 |
NURSING HOMES
There are five private nursing homes within the borough registered
under the Public Health Act 1936, and the Nursing Homes Act 1963.
One of these is a Mother and Baby Home and another is approved under
the abortion Act 1967, by the Department of Health and Social
Security. The total number of beds provided is as follows:
For chronic cases 54
For medical cases 14
For surgical cases (including 9 for abortions) 14
For expectant and nursing mothers (plus 8 cots) 22
Total (plus 8 cots) 104
Regular inspections of these homes are carried out by officers of
the Health Department and, in the one instance, the Department of
Health and Social Security.
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