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Service each year in the Urban District, it was fortunate that, thanks
to the generosity of the County Borough of Croydon who provided the
necessary equipment and staff, this Service has been made available
to residents of this District without participation in the initial expenditure
and at a very reasonable charge for its use. The Unit, which consists
of a Specialist, certified midwife and the necessary equipment carried
in an ambulance, is based upon May Day Hospital, Croydon, and can be
summoned by a general practitioner at any hour, a subsequent report
being made to the Medical Officer of Health on its use. This arrangement
was completed in the autumn but did not need to be utilised locally
during the remainder of the year.
Maternity Cases.
During the year the number of maternity cases admitted to Purley
Hospital was 61, this being the same number as last year.
The Hospital is situated just within the boundary of the County
Borough of Croydon, and hence its supervision as a Maternity Home
is the responsibility of the Medical Officer of Health for that area.
The Council has the call on 3 of the 6 maternity beds in this Hospital,
but for several years this accommodation has been recognised as being
inadequate, and during the year 10 cases were sent to Queen Charlotte's,
while 64 cases were admitted to the County Hospital, Redhill.
A uniform charge is made for the conveyance by ambulance to any
of these Hospitals of maternity cases whose confinements are arranged
through the Council's Scheme, and from the 1st April, 1938, this charge
has been 5s. Od. per case. Similarly a uniform charge is made for maintenance
and treatment in both Purley Hospital and Queen Charlotte's
Hospital, while the County Council's charge for treatment in Redhill
varies with the means of the patient's family.
The Public Health Committee through a Sub-Committee gave
prolonged consideration during the year to the charges to be made in
Purley and Queen Charlotte's Hospitals, and it was decided to increase
the charge to that required of cases admitted to the remaining beds in
the maternity ward of the Purley Hospital. The charge, however,
includes the fees of doctors if called in by a midwife, and those of the
Obstetric Specialist should difficulty arise and a consultation or operation
prove necessary.
Unfortunately it has proved impossible to provide further accommodation
locally owing to the contemplated provision by the Surrey
County Council of 68 maternity beds at the St. Helier's Public Health
Hospital, the foundation stone of which was laid in March, 1938. Meanwhile
the Purley Hospital Committee are appealing for £45,000 for ex-
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