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Cervical Cytology
This service continued a gradual expansion in 1971, when
the service was available in seven of the Council's clinics with
further plans to extend this to all clinics. The number of smears
taken during 1971 was 2,522 of which 5 cases required referral
for hospital investigation but in a further 688 cases minor conditions
were detected which either required treatment by their
general practitioner or a repeat smear.
1971 was the start of the local recall of women who were
first tested when the Scheme first started in Havering in 1966 —
approximately 1,400 repeat smears were taken. The National
Recall system is due to start next year. During 1971 the hospitals
were working under extreme pressure and were unable to accept
any increase in the number of smears examined and for a time
they were forced to cut back on some of the cytological services
they had offered previously. The service to Havering clinics was
maintained and improvements in the laboratory staffing position
are hoped for in the near future.
Premature Births
207 premature births were notified during the year which
compares with 237 in the previous year, which represents 5.3%
of the total live births, which marks a reduction on the percentage
of the previous two years of 6.2%.
A special care baby unit was opened in Harold Wood
Maternity Hospital under the care of Dr. Nauth Misir so that the
premature and other delicate new born babies receive immediate
care, in addition to the facilities already provided by the special
baby care unit at Rush Green Hospital.
CHILD HEALTH SERVICES
Congenital Malformations
Details of congenital malformations observed at birth are
required to be reported by the midwife on the notice giving the
notification of the birth. Particulars of each are forwarded to the
Registrar General who has an early warning system to notify
Medical Officers of Health of any untoward rise in the number of
notifications.
During 1971 90 babies were reported as suffering
from congenital malformations, 111 different conditions being
observed as set out in the following table:—
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