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The primary purpose of the visit of the mobile unit, with its
attendant publicity, was therefore to encourage more women to
take the "smear" test to detect pre-cancerous conditions of the
neck of the womb. It was hoped that by taking the mobile unit
into areas where women live and work, there would be an easing
of the communication and commitment barrier which militates
against women first attending formal, static clinics and that,
after initial attendance at the mobile unit, they would be more
favourably disposed to attending permanent clinics for future
examinations. It was also hoped that the mobile unit would be
of particular value in attracting the especially vulnerable groups,
namely women over 35 years of age and/or mothers of several
children and particularly those in the lower socio-economic
groups.
To this end the mobile unit was used at the following five
locations:-
(i) Forecourt of Battersea Training Centre, Thessaly Road,
S.W.8. - 4/5th September;
(ii) Chatham Hall Child Health Centre, Northcote Road, S.W.11.
6/8th September;
(iii) Site adjoining Meyrick Arms Public House, Falcon Road,
S.W.11. - 11/15th September;
(iv) Forecourt of Roehampton Training Centre, Roehampton
Lane. S.W.15. - 18/22nd September;
(v) Forecourt of Putney Swimming Baths, Dryburgh Road, S.W.15. —
25/29th September.
In selecting the sites, the general principle adopted was that
they should not be immediately adjacent to existing cytology
clinics but that they should be within reasonable distance of
such clinics for subsequent recall and follow-up.
A considerable amount of preparatory administrative and
clerical work was necessary over a period of four months before
the arrival of the Unit. These preparations entailed close consultation
with the Women's National Cancer Control Campaign,
water, gas and electricity authorities, the Metropolitan Police,
other Departments of the Council, the voluntary helpers who
assisted in the preparation and distribution of leaflets, and with
hospital laboratories who were to undertake examination of the
smears.