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The caravan is garaged each night and at weekends. It is towed by a Land Rover
which is used for other departmental transport duties during the day. The driver and his
assistant are responsible for internal and external cleaning and for the maintenance of
electricity (battery), calor gas and water supplies. The Mobile Health Clinic is taken out
of normal service for one week every three months so that servicing may be undertaken.
The clinic is staffed by a medical officer (local general practitioners undertake some
sessions), a clinic nurse and a clinic auxiliary. General administrative services are provided
at the Health Department's main offices.
The mobile health clinic visits each of the fifteen (infant welfare clinic) areas of
the Borough in turn, and sites immediately convenient to the dwellings of those groups
taking part are arranged approximately four weeks in advance. The clinic is based at each
site usually for one week, during which 10 sessions are held.
The Procedure
An efficient procedure is essential in a scheme of this nature, and in order to
achieve this aim and to reduce inconvenience to the attender to a minimum, an
appointments system is in operation. Ten appointments are made for each session and
male and female attenders are seen on separate days. It is very important that the
appointment system is adhered to, because the main success of the project is that the
clinic doctor has time in which to carry out a full medical examination.
Following the distribution of leaflets to homes in the immediate area, the Health
Visitor visits each home, gives further information if required, and books appointments
on the spot. Appointments can be made also by ringing the Health Department head
office, in which case the person is put in contact with the Health Visitor who is
responsible for the appointments list.
In view of the age group under survey, i.e. those of employable age, and the need to
utilise fully the clinic by whole-time day operation, it was anticipated that the majority
of those coming forward would be women. Consequently, four days in each week were
reserved for female attenders and one day for male attenders. The sex distribution
showed 80% female and 20% male attendances which accurately reflected the anticipated
demand from the two groups.
Attendance by Social Class
It was particularly heartening to find that nearly 35% of attenders were from Social
Classes IV and V. There is little doubt that the introduction of a Mobile Health Clinic for
the screening survey has contributed to the high proportion of attendances from the
lower socio-economic groups. Most other surveys elsewhere showed that persons in
Groups IV and V were poor attenders.
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