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67
Midwives Ante-natal Clinics
This service suffered during the year owing to the shortage
of midwives in Hornsey. An appointment has now been made and the
position restored.

Maternity Services in the Tottenham Clinics
Miss Esther Rickards, M. S., F.R.C.S. Consultant for many
years in Tottenham reports as follows:-
"The services emanating from the clinics have a threefold
purpose (1) they supervise the health of the mothers (2) they
co-ordinate the treatment they need and (3) they educate the
mothers in the Art of Living, As a supervising service it is our
aim to work in close co operation with the general practitioners
with the midwives of the district and with the hospitals..
We like the mothers to come to the clinics as soon as they
realise they are pregnant., Then a general medical overhaul is
undertaken, the blood is grouped (unless the patient is going into
hospital), the haemoglobin is estimated and the chest is X-rayed.
Consideration is given at the first visit on the choice of a home
confinement or a hospital booking; and the earlier a patient
comes the less disappointment there is in providing the booking of
choice. General advice is given on personal health and hygiene
on diets and on clothing The National Health Service Act can be
used for the prevention of ailments in this way; for instance,
the early signs of varicose veins can be found and the disorder
arrested by ordering the splendid two-way stretch elastic stockings
now within every mother's reach and so a major disability can
be prevented. Similarly minor troubles can be recognised and
treated. By frank discussion on fears and doubts the dread and
apprehension of many an inexperienced patient can be eased or
removed and knowledge can be spread.