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8
As stated in last year's Annual Report, routine vaccination against
smallpox has been discontinued, but other routine immunisation is still
carried out. In each case, however, the number shows a slight decrease over
the previous year. This can be accounted for partly by the decrease in the
birth rate, but one must be continually on one's guard that it does not
represent a relaxation amongst mothers to have their children immunised
because of the virtual absence of infectious disease. These preventable
infectious diseases could appear in the community with disastrous consequences
if there were a large number of unimmunised children.
The Cervical cytology Caravan again visited Hackney. the average
attendance was good, but is obvious that the Unit receives the highest numbers
when sited in a position prominent to pedestrians. Attendance at one of the
new sites chosen was particularly disappointing. Only two suspected cases
of carcinoma of the cervix were discovered and these in the eventuality
proved not to be positive. However, a number of other clinical conditions
were discovered which needed referral for action. It is interesting to
analyse the reasons for attendance. The majority of women attended because
they had seen posters, leaflets, or advertisements in the Press, but
approximately one-sixth attended becuase they 'just saw the caravan'. The
number of women attending at the Council's own regular cytology clinics
showed, in the main, a slight to moderate improvement over the previous year.
As has been foreshadowed in the previous Report, the Borough commenced
on the 1st April to run its own completely free Family Planning Service for
all residents of the Borough. The arrangement by which the Family Planning
Association had previously run part of the service was terminated in favour
of the Council's direct approach, but in certain cases responsibility is
still accepted for Hackney residents who attend clinics run by voluntary
bodies in Central London. As a result of the Council's arrangements further
family planning clinics were opened at health centres in the Borough and
the domiciliary visiting scheme was encouraged to expand. Although it is
early days to judge, during the year the total attendances at the clinics
were 14,792, an increase over the previous year of 1,381, and some 92
patients were visited under the domiciliary scheme. The Young People's
Advisory Clinic continues. Hackney has, as it has pioneered other projects,
encouragedits new service by being the first Authority to take up television
advertising to advertise the service. In addition to the Council's services,
the department has been in liaison with both the Hackney and the Mothers'
Hospitals so that women leaving the respective hospital maternity department
should be able to receive advice and supplies.
As the Council will know Hackney also pioneered a scheme by which in
special cases persons could receive Vasectomy for which the Council would
pay the cost. Although, in the event, at that time it was not possible to
implement the service, theNational Health Service (Family Planning) Amendment
Act, 1972, now allows us to do so.
In addition to its normal family planning services the Borough continues
to run a clinic for emotional and sexual problems.