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WELFARE FOODS

HEARING TESTS
All mothers are invited to have their babies tested routinely for hearing at 6-9 months
of age. Where there is difficulty in obtaining a response the child is either referred to his
family doctor or to the Local Authority Audiology Clinic for further testing. Older children
whose hearing is suspect, or where speech is slow to develop, are also referred. During the
year a total of 133 children were seen at this Clinic.
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Regular clinics were held at 8 centres and extra ones held where the demand warranted.
An average of 12 clinics per month were held, no appointment being necessary. Further
publicity was given in the local newspapers in 1972 resulting in an increase in attendances.
A national scheme for the recall of patients every five years began in 1972.
Details of attendances during the year are as follows:
Number of clinics held 144
Total number of tests carried out 2164
Number of positive cases 6
Number of repeat tests 328
Number of cases referred to General 29
Practitioner for other conditions
FAMILY PLANNING
The Family Planning Association Agency Scheme began in April whereby patients
attending any of the F.P.A. clinics had their fees and supplies paid for by the Borough if this
was needed on Medical grounds, i.e. where the health would suffer by the increased mental,
physical or social burden of a pregancy.
The F.P.A. opened three more clinics bringing the total to 12; this resulted in about
30 doctor sessions per week. A domiciliary service also commenced in which a doctor/nurse
team visited those who needdd advice but could not attend a clinic.
LIAISON WITH LOCAL HOSPITALS
Liaison with Local Hospitals continued through Maternity and Cytology Liaison
Committees.
One Medical Officer regularly attends the Phoenix Centre at Farnborough Hospital.
There is a Health Visitor attending the Paediatric Outpatients Department at Sydenham and
Farnborough, and another is attached to the Lennard Hospital Geriatric Day Unit. The District
Nursing Sisters visit the Lennard Hospital and surgical wards to see patients prior to discharge
home and into their car. The midwives continue to assess the suitability of patients' homes for
early discharge from hospital after a confinement. The Principal Medical Officers give talks
and lectures on aspects of community health to pupils and students when required to do so.
CHIROPODY
This Authority provided service to 5,884 persons over the age of 65 years, 131 physically
handicapped or disabled persons and 2 expectant mothers. The total treatment figures were:-
16