London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Sutton 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton]
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CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Sessions are held at all the major clinics in the borough and during 1972 frequent evening
sessions were arranged for those women who were unable to attend day sessions. In addition
to the cervical smears all women have a complete pelvic examination, breast examination,
urine test and blood pressure.
The National Scheme is for women over the age of 35 years. The Consultant Cytologist at
St. Helier Hospital is carrying out a research programme which includes women over the
age of 25 years who have had one or more children. In practice any woman who wishes to
have a cervical smear is given an appointment.
An increasing number of cervical smears are carried out by family doctors.
The following tables indicate the work carried out during 1972
| 1972 | 1971 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of visits of women having smears taken for the first time | 923 | 1205 |
| Number of visits of women having repeat smears | 1450 | 1292 |
| 2373 | 2497 |
Classification of Smears
| Class | Number of Smears | |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 1971 | |
| 1 | 1580 | 1650 |
| II | 785 | 831 |
| III | 7 | 14 |
| IV | 1 | 1 |
| V | . | 1 |
The family doctors are informed of the results in all cases and where necessary they arrange
for hospital investigation.
FAMILY PLANNING
The Family Planning Association act as the main agents for the borough when women prefer
to attend a Family Planning Clinic rather than attend their family doctor. A small number of
residents in the borough, particularly young women, attend the Brook Advisory Agency in
Central London.
Family Planning is available to all residents in the borough and both advice and supplies
were free of charge on medical or social grounds.
Family Planning Clinics are held at Priory Crescent Clinic, Green Wrythe Lane Clinic,
Shotfield Clinic, Roundshaw Clinic, St. Helier Hospital and Sutton Hospital.
There has been an increased attendance at Family Planning Clinics in the borough as a result
of which the Family Planning Association arranged additional sessions at most of the clinics.
The Domiciliary Family Planning Service was continued throughout the year and the number
of domiciliary cases was 23.
Authority was given to include Vasectomy as one method of family planning. Arrangements
were made through the Family Planning Association for 2 cases on medical or social grounds.
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