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The number of patients attending during the year was as
follows:—
67 new patients: 75% women, 25% men. (Average age
57 years.)
89 re-attendances.
4 deaths: 2 men suffering from inoperable carcinoma
found at first attendance and referred back
to their doctors.
1 man with acute depression referred to doctor
and mental welfare department (suicide).
1 woman aged 81—followed up at home by
health visitor—died of pneumonia in hospital.
Ten patients were referred to their doctors for treatment
or investigation.
Observation of other patients for mild hypertension, cystic
swelling in breasts, vague abdominal symptoms, etc., has accounted
for some of the re-visits, while others might be regarded
as treatment through counselling, e.g., re-visits of those suffering
from depression or obesity. The clinic has attracted patients
who are obviously looking for considerable support and reassurance,
and the encouraging thing is that many have responded
and are now in better health. There has not, however,
been an overwhelming number of such patients; most people
have approved of the preventive idea and have asked to attend
for this reason.
The aims of the clinic are:—
1. Encouragement of health by the attitude of the staff;
sympathetic listening, general optimistic attitude, attempting to
help the patients adjust to changes in themselves and their surroundings.
2. Education about the nature of the patient's symptoms
and the best way of looking after disease or disability which
cannot be cured.
3. Pre-symptomatic diagnosis by repeated medical examination.
Thorough examination annually, screening of urine,
blood pressure and weight and interviews with patients between
these examinations.
Patients are told that in other branches of the health service
they present a symptom, which has to be given priority,
but here the family and personal history and present health can
be assessed as a whole and an attempt made to promote wellbeing
to the best level possible.
There is obviously a demand for this kind of clinic and
there is a limit to the time, energy and money that can be spent
on it. Other branches of the health service may be relieved by
this work. Anxious patients will attend their doctors less often
if they have such an oudet and will tend to " save up " their
symptoms for their clinic visit. Time spent on discussing
problems with the patients results in a saving of the use of drugs.
Ways must be explored of increasing the number of patients
seen. Doctor and health visitor work as a team, and once the
patients are orientated to this idea there is no reason why the
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