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37
Total number of treatments 5,524
Number of sessions 999
During the year 1965 the local branch of the British Red Cross carried
out 1,866 treatments, 1,058 of which were domiciliary.
Cervical Cytology
Facilities for the early diagnosis of cancer of the womb by means of a
cervical smear are available to a certain extent at the Mount Vernon and
Harrow Hospitals. In addition, the examination is carried out on patients
attending Family Planning Clinics. Due to the shortage of suitably qualified
cytologists, it had not been possible to extend the service to local authority
clinics in the area. However, in December 1965, following information
that the pathological department of Mount Vernon Hospital were now in
a position to deal with a considerable increase in the number of smears,
the Health Committee considered a report to set up a pilot scheme for the
taking of cervical smears. This scheme was agreed to in principle and after
prior consultation with the appropriate Hospital Management and Local
Medical Committees, a proposal to amend Section 28 of the National
Health Service Act will be submitted to the Minister of Health. It is hoped
to start the pilot scheme at the Caryl Thomas Clinic in 1966.
Recuperative Holidays
This scheme provides for sending certain categories of patients on
short-term recuperative holidays. These holidays are restricted to those
people recovering from a recent acute illness, no longer in need of nursing
treatment and only requiring rest, fresh air and good food to complete
their treatment.
Recommendations are received from hospitals and general practitioners.
All applications are considered and, if agreed, arrangements made
for placement in a suitable recuperative holiday home. During the year,
63 were admitted to such homes—of this number 54 were adults, 8 schoolchildren
and one child under school age. The 8 school-children were
recommended under Section 48 of the Education Act 1944.
Loan of Nursing Equipment
The nursing of patients in their own homes can be greatly helped if
certain items of nursing equipment are available for use in the home.
Continuing the arrangements made by the Middlesex County Council,
the local branch of the British Red Cross Society hold this stock of nursing
equipment and now operate the loan scheme on behalf of the Borough.
A small hire charge is made for the loan of the equipment. This
charge is collected by the Society and used to purchase replacement equipment
as required. In cases where the patient is unable to pay the hire charge,
it is paid by the Borough. Purchases of additional equipment are also made
by the Borough to meet requests for loan of articles on the approved list.
Number of articles loaned during the year 1,275
The Red Cross depot is at 39 Sheepcote Road, Harrow—Telephone
Harrow 8788.