[Report 1969] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham County Palatine / County Council.

  • Durham (England : County). Council.
Date:
1969
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1969] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham County Palatine / County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    VIII Provision of Incontinence Pads. The demand for disposable incontinence pads increased during the year and the number of pads issued was 235,040 compared with 221,348 in 1968. IX. Multiple Screening Clinics. Following the pilot scheme in Chester-le-Street in August, 1968, previously reported, two further clinics were held this year. The first was, again, for Chester-le-Street and was held between 6th and 15th October, using empty ward accommodation in the General Hospital. The second was held in Houghton-le- Spring in the Miners Welfare Hall from 3rd to 13th November. Chester-le-Street Multiple Screening Clinic 1,120 appointments were made for persons over 15 years of age resident in the Chester-le-Street Urban and Rural Districts. 10,078 appointments (194 men and 884 women) were kept and details of the numbers undertaking each test and of the outcome are as follows — 1. Anaemia Tests. A Linson haemoglobinometer was used which is a photoelectric method of estimating fairly accurately the patient’s haemoglobin level from a measured sample. This was an improvement on the previous year, when the relatively inaccurate copper sulphate test was used. The change reduced the number of false positives, i.e. people considered to have aneamia on the result of the test but whose level of haemoglobin was noraial. 1,023 persons were tested. 123 persons (4 men and 119 women) were screened as having aneamia compared to 328 out of 952 persons tested last year. Of the 123 positive patients only 21 persons were ultimately diagnosed as having anaemia of any severity. The same circumstance applies, as last year, whereby patients took treatment in the interval between the screening test and attending hospital for further investigation. The interval is a matter of weeks and treatment, if appropriate for the blood condition, can result in market improvement during the interval. 2. Vision Tests. 695 persons were tested. 234 failed the vision test and were referred for further exami- nation. The majority would obtain new lenses in existing spectacles and a smaller number would obtain glasses for the first time. 3. Diabetes Tests. 1,004 persons were tested and 22 (8 men and 14 women) were referred to hospital as a result. After exhaustive investigations 4 cases of diabetes were diagnosed (2 men and 2 women). One case was moderately severe. Three patients were in middle life (45-55 years) one was elderly (over 65 years). 4. Cervical Smear Tests. 609 women (over 25 years of age and not tested in the previous two years) were examined by this test, five positive cases being detected and referred for treatment. 5. Chest X-rays. 855 people were X-rayed and of these 13 were referred to chest physicians. Houghton-le-Spring Multiple Screening Clinic 980 appointments were made for persons over 15 years of age resident in the Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton- le-Spring and Washington Urban Districts. 964 appointments (172 men and 792 women) were kept and details of the numbers undertaking each test and the outcome are as follows:— 1. Anaemia Tests. The new method was used as described under Chester-le-Street. 943 people were tested and 110 (5 men and 105 women) were screened as positive. Referrals of positive cases were made to the patient’s general practitioner in every case. This was different to the practice at Chester-le-Street where, by agreement, a hospital appointment for further investigation was arranged by the hospital for each patient notified to the hospital as positive. 2. Vision Tests. 704 persons were tested and 218 were screened as positive, and referred for further examination. 3. Diabetes Tests. 937 persons were tested and 15 (8 men and 7 women) were screened as positive. Again, as in the previous test the referral of these patients for further investigation was to the general practitioner and not directly to the hospital. 4. Cervical Smear Tests. 499 women (over the 25 year age limit and not tested for two years past) were examined. Two positive cases were detected and referred for treatment. 5. Chest X-Rays. 882 persons were X-rayed and 32 referred to chest physicians. Conclusion. These clinics again proved useful and further ones are planned. The possibility of including other tests is being considered. The value of chest X-ray has been questioned. A third clinic was planned for Bishop Auckland but had to be deferred until Spring 1970,