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
Hackney 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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A total of 161 disorders were found as listed below and all were referred to general practitioners:-
| Disorder | Number | Disorder | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast | 10 | Cervix-erosion | 58 |
| Heart | 1 | Ovarian Cyst | 7 |
| Abdomen | 1 | Uterus - | |
| Urethra | 2 | Enlarged (? fibroids) | 16 |
| Vagina | Retroverted | 6 | |
| Discharge | 16 | Prolapse | 1 |
| Vaginitis | 2 | Menopausal symptoms | 3 |
| VD | 1 | 161 | |
| Polyp | 26 | ||
| Cyst | 5 | ||
| Perineum | 2 | ||
| Cystocele | 3 | ||
| Rectocele | 1 |
The smears themselves revealed two cases of carcinoma in situ, twelve
were atypical and had to be repeated, 89 showed monilial and trichomonas
infections, positive results necessitated an initial telephone call to the
general practitioners and thereafter a letter was forwarded. The total cost
to the borough was £1,637.8s. Towing to and fro was particularly expensive,
but it would have been unwise to leave the unit unattended at night and it
was taken back nightly to one of the Council's depots. Another campaign is
tentatively planned for 1970.
A full account of the project may be found in the Medical Officer
Vol. cxxiii No. 10 (6/3/70) pp. 124-128.
In addition to the 1,064 smears taken at the mobile clinic, 1,725 smears were taken at the Council's clinics during the year as follows:-
| F.P. A. Clinics | Cervical Cytology Clinics | A.N. Clinics | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Road | 232 | 258 | 102 | 592 |
| Lower Clapton Road | 91 | 185 | - | 276 |
| Upper Clapton Road | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| John Scott Health Centre | 291 | 215 | - | 506 |
| Shoreditch Health Centre | 271 | - | - | 271 |
| Barton House | 77 | - | 1 | 78 |
| Total | 962 | 658 | 105 | 1,725 |
FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE
The demand for family planning services continues. While attendances at
Council clinics rose from 4,925 in 1968 to 5,997 this year, those at Family
Planning Association clinics fell from 7,213 to 6,658 in the same period; the
combined total attendances being 517 more than in the previous year. In
addition to the Council clinics, the Family Planning Association also holds
sessions in Council clinics and at Hackney Hospital. This latter clinic is
especially for the fitting of the inter-uterine device. An additional evening
clinic provided by the Health Department commenced at Barton House on the 24th
April 1969. All women who come to Borough Family Planning clinics are made
aware that they can go to their general practitioner for this service. If
they decide against taking this step they are seen and advised on medical
grounds without a charge. If their needs are social, a charge for supplies is
made, except in cases of financial hardship. A total of 17 sessions is now
held weekly in the borough. 8 of these are directly run and staffed by the