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This was a pilot scheme in which the women were asked to co-operate in the
comparison of smears taken in a standard way at the clinics by doctors and smears
taken by themselves at home later and despatched to the laboratory. Each woman
taking part in the scheme was issued with appropriate instruction and "do-it-yourself"
kits in the form of cytopipettes and postal containers.
The following is a summary of the results of the trial, taken from Dr. Husain's
report contained in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 106,
No. 1, January, 1970:—
"A survey of 2,350 women, comparing doctor/nurse-collected scrape smears
and self-collected cytopipette smears, has shown around an 85 per cent
detection rate for cancer with the cytopipette, though a less efficient rate for
dysplasia. As the purpose of the "do-it-herself" pipette is to alert disease by
a relatively cheap method, it is felt that the instrument is worthy of consideration
and development as there is little doubt that the principle is sound and
effective, though the design of pipette and its contents may not yet be ideal.
The test in no way replaces a scrape smear with clinical examination where
this is practicable."
DOMICILIARY MIDWIFERY AND HOME NURSING SERVICES
Staff as at 31st December, 1969
1 Non-Medical Supervisor of Midwives and Home Nursing Superintendent.
1 Deputy Non-Medical Supervisor of Midwives and Home Nursing
Superintendent.
6 Full-time Midwives.
1 Part-time Midwife.
(0.5)*
5 Full-time District Nurses/Midwives.
1 Full-time Senior District Nurse.
33 Full-time District Nurses.
5 Part-time District Nurses.
(2.5)*
6 Part-time District Nurse Assistants.
(3)*
* equivalent whole-time.
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
Training
Five midwives are approved as teachers.
Four midwives attended a refresher course as required by the rules of the Central
Midwives Board.
Seventeen pupil midwives from West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth, and Queen
Charlotte's Hospital, Hammersmith, completed their three months period of training
on the district.
Twelve nurses from West Middlesex Hospital taking their obstetric training spent
a half-day on the district observing the work of the domiciliary midwives.
Transport
All the domiciliary midwives drive cars. Two use Council vehicles; the remainder
have their own cars.
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