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29
PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE AND AFTER CARE
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
The screening service for cervical cancer, whicn commenced with one
session a week in 1966, was expanded during the year. In addition to the
session held at Richmond Road maternal and cnild health centre, a day-time
session opened at the John Scott Health Centre in January and an evening
session at the Goulton Road Treatment Centre in Octooer.
The expansion was consequent upon tne Pathology Department at HacKney
Hospital Deing aole to deal with the examination of a greatly increased
number of specimens. Initial response to the opening of these sessions
was good, out experience in tnis Borough in common with other Authorities
shows that numoers tend to fall off and that the public, particularly
those wnom it is especially desiraole should avail themselves of this
important service, need to be constantly reminded that tne service exists.
Posters drawing attention to the service and also to the lower age
limit of 25, at which women may attend clinics have been displayed, and •
a special leaflet has been widely distributed. This has a tear-off slip
which a woman may complete and hand in at any maternal and child health
centre, when an appointment will be sent to her. The waiting period for
an appointment has never been very long and after the opening weeks of
a new session there is rarely more than two weeks delay before an appointment
can be given.
A medical examination to exclude other detectable diseases such as
breast cancer is also carried out as a routine. In addition to these
ad hoc sessions, cervical smears are also taken from patients who attend
the Council' s ante-natal and family planning clinics, unless this has
already been done at a hospital. A total of 891 smears were taken in 1967.
At the close of the year, it was planned to open an evening session at the
jonn Scott Health Centre in place of the day-time one, or in addition to it,
if the demand warranted both.
Meetings have been held in the Council's clinics at which films on the subjects
of cervical screening and self-examination ofthebreasts have been shown
to members of the public. Some of these have been initiated by the staff of
this Department, others by the Stoke Newington Women's Cancer Control Campaign.
On these occasions a medical officer of the department is asked to be present
to answer questions if required.
CHIROPODY
At 4,580 sessions neld in five of the maternal and child health centres
and the Salvation Army Goodwill Centre, 5,368 patients made 33,424 attendances.
Each patient, on average, had treatment once every eight weeks. This is
not frequent enough and although there was an improvement in the recruitment
of chiropodists during the year, the demand for the service far outweighs the
capacity to meet it because of staff shortages. Of the 5,368 patients treated
during the year, 3,329 were over 65 years of age and 739 school children were
treated for verrucae.
Following attendance at a refresner course the Chief Chiropodist initiated
a modest service in the clinics in the preparation of "appliances". This has
not only proved to oe most successful in alleviating certain long standing
and painful conditions but does in fact save time and materials over a period
of treatment. It is hoped to extend tne service wnen the staff position improves.