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21
As will be seen from the figures given the number of beds
and the number of admissions into this institution has gradually
increased during the last five years. I think the home is now
of such a size as to demand the full-time services of a resident
assistant medical officer who will also participate in the ante
natal scheme.
It must be recorded that the municipal maternity home was
damaged by a fly-bomb in June of this year. The blast walls
saved the structure on the ground floor, but two wards in
particular on the first floor, together with all windows, most
ceilings and doors, and the roof suffered considerable damage.
As the home was busy and several booked cases were expected
for admission the decision was taken not to evacuate, and in
fact within a few hours it was possible to carry on almost as
usual. • Thanks for this are due to the staff from all our institutions
who rallied so spontaneously, to the squads of the N.F.S.
who tirelessly cleared away the internal debris, and also to the
first-aid repair men who by the same evening had the building
reasonably weatherproof. The only casualty was one baby in
the nursery with a small cut on the forehead although everybody
in the home was rather shaken.

B(5)b. Ante-natal.
With a birthrate of 24.3 and an 8 per cent. increase in
the total births in the town, there has been an increase of 10
per cent. in the attendances at the Ante natal clinics. Five
weekly sessions were continued throughout the year together
with two specialist clinics each month. For the first time the
Erith clinic has recorded more attendances than the Bedonwell
ante-natal clinic, both centres holding two sessions a week.