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64
Thus it was that by the end of 1919, only one year after the end
of the first World War the maternity and children welfare services
of the Borough were well established, but much remained to be done,
and the following is an account of the improving services up to the
transfer of the Maternity and Child Welfare services to the County
Authority in 1948 under the National Health Service Act, 1946.
During 1924 five additional beds were provided at the Maternity
Home, bringing the total to seventeen. Even so a considerable number
ot applicants had to be refused. The extension of the Home reduced the
cost of maintenance per patient. Also, as a result of this extension a
new home had to be found for the Council's Infant and Maternity
Clinics, the work which had increased considerably, and the use of the
Wesleyan Church Hall in Rushey Green was secured for this purpose.
The Ante-natal clinic was still held at the Maternity Home and the
attendance at this had greatly increased.
The nursing staff at the maternity home by 1927 consisted of the
Matron, five nurses, and two probationers. The domestic staff included
a cook, two housemaids, a laundry maid and a daily cleaner. There was
also a clerk dispenser.
During 1934 certain necessary improvements were carried out
at the maternity home including, inter alia the conversion of one of the
wards into an isolation room with bathroom and water closet. To
accommodate the tour beds displaced by these alterations two of the
existing wards were extended to take four additional beds. A sterilizing
room leading off the labour room was also provided.
On the subject of maternal mortality the Medical Officer of Health
included the following table for the years 1919 to 1925.

The Medical Officer of Health commented that Lewisham was
one of the first Municipalities to establish a Maternity Home and
clinics to which expectant mothers would attend for advice during
treatment. The value of this foresight is no doubt reflected in our low
maternal mortality.