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It was with great joy that we received the news that we were to have a new
equipment shed, which was begun just before Christmas. Sufficient room for
storage of equipment has been a great problem at Kingsley Hall, but now, at last,
we shall be able to make full use of our exercise room where much of the equipment
was previously stored. Also started is a platform for the swimming pool,
so that it may be used indoors in the winter.
Several very useful pieces of equipment have been acquired during the year
these include a walking frame, a set of parallel bars, one cerebral palsy chair
and a Bonny Baby Bouncer.
We have had our usual number of distinguished visitors, but this year it
included a number of Student Health Visitors and Health Educators, and we were
very happy to welcome them.
Once again, at Kingsley Hall, we have been very fortunate in our new Sister.
She has introduced a number of improvements, and despite the severe shortage of
staff at times, maintained a very high standard of care for each child.
As in previous years, we have to thank the members of the Child Guidance
Clinic, and Miss Hodges, Peripatetic Teacher of the Deaf, for their help and
support.
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY CLINIC
It is now possible to detect cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) in its
very early stages, before it begins to cause symptoms. This is done by
microscopical examination of a smear taken from the patient's cervix by means of
a spatula. Should an early cancer be present, abnormal cells will be detected
by this examination. The taking of the smear for the test requires only a few
minutes of the patient's time, and is painless. On the other hand, the examination
of the smear is time-consuming and can only be carried out by specially
trained staff: this is the limiting factor in the number of tests which can be
performed.
In co-operation with the Pathology Department at Oldchurch Hospital,
facilities for these tests came into operation in May 1964 at Becontree Avenue
Clinic. Appointments are offered to mothers between the ages of 30 and 55 (the
section of the population most at risk). The smears are taken by a clinic nurse
who has been trained for this work by a laboratory technician from the hospital.
The smears are then transported to the hospital for examination.
In addition to the staff of the Health Department, some of the family
doctors and medical officers of the Family Planning Association have recommended
women to have the test carried out.
Between May and December, 92 women were tested. So far, no cases of cancer
have been discovered. It is, of course, to be expected that when a screening
test is being carried out on symptomless people the great majority of the results
will be negative. Nevertheless, this testing is well worth while because of the
far greater likelihood of successful treatment resulting from early diagnosis of
the condition. The value of this is further enhanced when one takes into account
that any cases discovered would probably be the mothers of small children.
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