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B(5)c. Ante-Natal In-patient Accommodation.
The need for increased institutional accommodation, for
maternity cases within the area, has been under consideration
during the year.
Ihere is no doubt that there is a need in this area, as
probably in every other area, for more extended use of antenatal
in-patient accommodation. Everybody is agreed that
there is need for this, but there seems to be 110 demand, and
the demand can only be created through the patient herself.
It seems that the reason why many cases of Toxaemia do
not secure institutional accommodation earlier, is fundamentally
a financial one. The patient herself is attempting to limit the
cost of her pregnancy and confinement, within what is generally
accepted as the usual cost, and it seems probable that there is
often a reluctance among medical attendants, both public and
private, to insist on prolonged ante-natal institutional or domiciliary
treatment, out of sympathy for her pocket, and the
resulting treatment is often a half-hearted compromise between
absolute rest and carrying 011 her domestic affairs, until symptoms
are sufficiently serious that they must present the
ultimatum to her.
B(5)d. Abnormal Cases.
Accommodation for abnormal maternity cases, in need of
hospital treatment is provided for by an arrangement between
this Council and the City of London Maternity Hospital. Seven
cases were admitted under this arrangement during the year,
and, in addition, two cases were transferred to Queen Charlotte's
Annexe.