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The Results (See Tables 5, 6 and 7 Pages 44,45)
The survey commenced on 18th November, 1968, and by the end of the first year
3,160 persons had attended the Mobile Health Clinic. During this time periodic reviews of
administrative and clinical procedures were undertaken and improvements effected where
necessary.
Discounting gynaecological disorders, there were no significant differences in the
incidence of illness between males and females, although there were differences in
pattern. The incidence for all groups showed that only 120 men and 363 women out of
the 3,160 were free from disability; the remaining 2,677 patients had one, or more,
disability. Of those 2,677 it was ascertained that 875 were either receiving treatment for
the disability presented or were suffering from a disability of a sufficiently minor nature
not to warrant referral to their general practitioner. Nevertheless, 1,802 persons were
referred to their family doctor for further investigation and possible treatment.
Seven cases of pro-invasive cervical cancer, one active case of pulmonary
tuberculosis and one confirmed case of carcinoma of the breast are included among the
major disorders detected.
Special Interim Surveys
During the year two "special" surveys were undertaken within the programme. The
first was a preliminary analysis of the results of the first 1,000 persons to attend, the
main purpose of which was to identify emerging trends and to review administrative and
clinical procedures.
The second survey was carried out over an eight-day period at the end of
September, 1969, following the receipt of a grant from Granada Television Ltd. A
television film unit visited the clinic at a selected street; 172 persons attended for
examination during this special survey period. The programme shown by Granada
Television on 13th October, 1969, in its "World in Action" series, illustrated the whole
sequence of events: the attendances and examinations at the clinic, referral to the general
practitioners, and for the case of malignant disease, the hospital consultation, details of
the operation, result and prognosis.
Follow-up Survey
In order to ascertain what proportion of patients actually received treatment, were
placed under observation or were referred to a hospital or specialist by their General
Practitioners, it was necessary for follow-up information to be obtained. This was a large
and difficult exercise. No less than 115 Southwark General Practitioners were involved
and it was necessary to cause a minimum of inconvenience to them and to consume as
little as possible of their time. In most cases appointments were made for Medical Officers
of the Health Department to visit the General Practitioners' surgeries to obtain the
information and, in this connection, the co-operation of the General Practitioners was
very much appreciated.
For this survey a 25% sample of the total number of patients referred to their
General Practitioners was followed-up; thus efforts were made to obtair information on
451 of the 1,802 patients referred to their own doctors. The results of th s work are given
in Tables 2,3 and 4 (Page 42).
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