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48
Recuperative Holidays
During the year arrangements were made for the placement of
patients in suitable recuperative holiday homes. This service is 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 were received from hospitals
and general practitioners.
Eighty-six applications were received. Suitable holidays were arranged
for 3 school children and 59 adults.
In the case of 20 adults and 4 school children thr arrangements were
cancelled at the patient's request.
The school children were recommended under Section 48 of the
Education Act 1944.
Cervical Cytology
Sessions were held at the Caryl Thomas Clinic on Wednesday and
Thursday mornings, five sessions a fortnight, and the women were seen by
appointment. Encouragement is given by medical and nursing staff and by
the help of leaflets. Due to the growing demand for the service, a further
session was started towards the end of the year on alternate Friday mornings,
increasing the number of sessions to six a fortnight. No woman is
refused a smear test but the majority of women, who attend are over 25
years of age. A routine medical examination is made to include the breast,
abdomen, pelvis and urine, and individual problems are discussed. 1,469
patients were examined during the year with one positive case only in 1970.
Resulting from encouragement from the Post Master General, the
Harrow Post Office and the Harrow Telephone Exchange asked for
facilities for their women employees to be given a smear test. The test was
offered to these women and there was a good response. They were absorbed
into the ordinary cervical cytology sessions.
Messrs. Kodak asked for a separate session for their employees but
it was not found possible to provide an extra doctor session and many
employees have been given appointments to attend the routine sessions
already held.
Loan of Nursing Equipment
The British Red Cross Society continued to operate the scheme for
the loan of nursing equipment. This equipment helps in the nursing of
patients in their own homes. A small hire charge is made but in cases
where the patient is unable to pay the hire charge, it is paid by the Borough.
Monies collected are used to purchase replacement equipment as required.
In addition additional equipment is purchased by the Borough to meet
requests for loan of articles on the approved list.