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term unemployed in Middlesex (the Hendon
Experiment). This scale allowed the researchers to
examine various areas of human satisfaction in
their relationship to each other and lent itself to
useful interpretation of the level of social
functioning. It also enabled the workers to make
a social diagnosis. Finally it helped to develop
methods of assisting with their problems people
who had not yet broken down. In short, it has
significant preventive possibilities.
'From 1966 onwards a number of universities
and other professional groups have been involved
in the use of the scale, both in this country and
abroad. The University of Edinburgh undertook
the first scientific validation of the scale. This long
and elaborate report by psychology students at
Edinburgh University claims that the Scale of
Social Functioning is a scientific and valid
instrument. Locally the West Middlesex Hospital
medical social workers have been using the scale
with cases of coronary thrombosis to help social
workers identify those patients who need their help
most urgently. The University of Birmingham is
working with the scale in connection with student
counselling. All the information arising from this
and other statutory bodies and universities is being
fed into the research of the Hounslow Project,
which will be of considerable help in formulating
methods and techniques of social casework.
'In the light of these developments it has seemed
important to associate the Hounslow Project with
large groups, both in this country and abroad.
'The Hounslow Project has helped to stimulate
the establishment of two research centres of social
functioning in America, one at the Rehabilitation
Research Institute, University of Washington,
Seattle and the other at the Canadian Research
Centre of Social Functioning, University of
Calgary. Mr Heimler visits both these centres
periodically in a consultant capacity.
'Whilst ways and means of setting up a research
centre were being explored in this country, further
study continued into the field of human
functioning. It became clear that whilst the
Scale of Social Functioning had given researchers
some understanding of the areas of human
satisfaction, the data gained would also now
enable them to assess those areas where
satisfactions were lacking. From this the
researchers could now arrive at a further
hypothesis as to the nature and pattern of human
frustration. In this work they are enabled to
identify the unused energy locked up in frustration
into five pathological areas—under-activity,
depression, somatic symptoms, persecutory ideas
and various escape routes such as drugs or
alcohol. They are now in a position to interpret
the relationship between satisfaction and
frustration and diagnose the individual's problems
and potentials. When such patterns of satisfactions
and frustrations are understood it is possible to
re-distribute the human energy. In the field of
prevention, care and after-care this could be of
considerable significance.
'A number of visitors are expected during the
coming year, the first being Professor Henry W
Maier, Professor of Social Work, University of
Washington, Seattle, Washington, who will spend
a whole year with the Hounslow Project studying
the methods and techniques that have been
evolved. It is anticipated also that Professor
Gustave deCoq will visit for a three month period
during the coming year, and that other members
of the faculties of the American and Canadian
Universities may join in the work.'
Cervical Cytology
This service, which commenced on a limited scale
in 1966, was expanded during 1967 as the Ashford
and West Middlesex Hospitals were able to
increase the number of smears which could be
examined. Additional sessions were arranged and
publicity was carried out to ensure a steady and
sufficient flow of women coming forward for
testing. Apart from taking the cervical smears our
medical officers examined the vagina and all pelvic
organs and also the breasts. The blood pressure is
taken and the urine is tested. The patient and her
family doctor are informed of the result, and any
treatment which is necessary is arranged or carried
out by the family doctor.
Cervical smears are also taken at family
planning clinics and by family doctors.
The following statistics relate to women
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