View report page

(b) Cervical Cytology
Cervical cytology, a test for the early detection of cancer of the neck of the womb, was
introduced in 1966. Regular sessions are held at 3 clinics. In addition, during this year 12 sessions
were held on the premises of Standard Telephone's and Cables Ltd. These tests are also carried
out by General Practitioners and in Family Planning Clinics. (See Table).
Until October the examination was limited to cervical smears only. Since then additional
examinations of the breast and abdomen have been added. This has reduced the number of
women who can be examined per session, and has laid the foundation for a "Well Women's
Clinic" which is perhaps an even more important factor in view of our findings. During the
year 3,218 were examined with the following results:—
2,549 — completely satisfactory
440 — referred to General Practitioners for other conditions
228 — needed further tests
1 — case was positive
F.P.A.
Standard Telephones
General Practitioners
1969
1970
1971
1677
1971
2394
272
90
282
1136
1451
1923
3085
3512
4599
(c) Family Planning
Family Planning is provided in this borough through the agency of the Family Planning
Association. The Council makes nine clinic premises available free of charge and two hospitals;
Erith and Queen Mary's Hospital also provide premises for this purpose; in this way nineteen
sessions per week are available.
These sessions provide advice on contraception and include I.U.D. (Insertion of Intra uterine
Device), sub fertility and marital problems.
The Council give a block grant of £2,700 to provide a free service for women in whom
pregnancy would be detrimental to health.
46