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Maternal Deaths
Five maternal deaths due to, or associated with, pregnancy, childbirth or abortion
occurred in Southwark during 1971. Full reports on the circumstances relating to
these deaths were prepared and forwarded as required to the Department of Health
and Social Security.
Mobile Health Clinic
There was an overall reduction of attendances for examination at the Mobile
Health Clinic during 1971. Total attendances for the year were 1901. This reduction
was partly due to loss of working time attributable to demonstrations, visits by representatives
from outside local authorities and organisations and the inability to obtain
medical officers for some sessions. Bad weather, particularly freezing and wet winter
spells caused a decline in the number of attenders. Considerable interest in the Mobile
Health Clinic continued to be shown by other local authorities and the medical profession
generally. The film "Put to the Test" produced to illustrate the various aspects
of the Clinic's work remained in demand for showing to other local authorities, medical
and allied organisations.
A short period of evening sessions was organised during the year in an effort to
provide an opportunity for those persons, particularly males, who are at work during
the daytime to attend for examination. Attendances at these sessions were good but
difficulties were experienced both in securing the assistance of medical officers during
the evenings and in keeping within the limits of the length of working day allowed to
the drivers by the Road Transport Act.
The Mobile Health Clinic was a focal point of interest at two important functions
during 1971. In March the Clinic was exhibited at the Chest and Heart Association
Annual Conference in London. During July, the Clinic was transported to Leicester
where it formed part of the British Medical Association's Scientific Exhibition and
produced a tremendous interest amongst delegates from Britain and many parts of the
world.
Cytological diagnosis of early uterine cancer—Well Women Clinics
At these clinics each person attending has a full gynaecological examination,
their blood pressure taken and a urine test.
During the year 1,348 attendances were made at the 144 sessions held in the four
clinics in the Borough. 399 persons were found to have no abnormality, 6 were found
to have carcinoma of the cervix, 12 had some breast pathology and 856 had other
gynaecological disorders, which are summarised as follows:—
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