London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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63
All patients booked for admission to the Maternity Hospital are
medically examined at the Ante-Natal Clinics. As reported last year,
following consultations with the Consultant Obstetrician arrangements were
made as from January, 1954, for the first examination to be brought
forward to the 10th week of pregnancy, or as soon as possible after that
time if the booking for hospital admission is not made until after the 10th
week. Further, arrangements are made for all hospital booked patients to
see the Obstetric Registrar at either the Ilford Maternity Hospital or the
Mayesbrook Ante-Natal Clinic at about the 35th week of pregnancy.
Post-Natal Clinics.—All patients confined in the Ilford Maternity
Hospital and other patients on request are invited to attend the Post-Natal
Clinics for the first time approximately six weeks after confinement.
During 1954 clinics were held at the Maternity Hospital weekly, at Mayesbrook Clinic fortnightly, and at Manford Way Clinic monthly. The following attendances were recorded:—
| Maternity Hospital | Mayesbrook Clinic | Manford Way Clinic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First attendances | 795 | 176 | 99 |
| Subsequent attendances | 306 | 83 | 8 |
| Totals | 1,101 | 259 | 107 |
| Number of sessions | 52 | 26 | 12 |
| Average attendance at each session | 21 | 10 | 9 |
Consultant Clinic.—The Consulting Obstetrician, or his Deputy,
continued to hold a Clinic twice weekly for ante-natal and post-natal cases.
During the year 103 sessions were held and a total of 1,150 examinations
were made.
Maternal Mortality.—During 1954 there was one death of an Ilford
mother recorded by the Registrar-General as due to or in consequence of
pregnancy or childbirth.
Domestic Help Service.—During 1954 the heavy demand for this
service continued. A full-time Organiser controls the service, under the
general direction of the Area Medical Officer, and at the end of the year
there were 11 full-time, 108 regularly-employed part-time and 23 casual
Helps employed.
The following is a summary of the cases dealt with in 1954:—
Number of applications received for assistance 1,309
Number of cases where Domestic Helps were provided
(including 437 who were having service at the commencement
of the year) 1,371
Number of cases which on investigation were either not
eligible for assistance or did not require the service 213
Cases booked but subsequently cancelled 67
Number of cases where, at the end of the year, a domestic
help was booked to attend in future months (maternity
cases) 60
Other cases awaiting help at end of year 22
Enquiries incomplete at end of year 13
Cases being served at 31st December, 1954 480