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26
The Domestic Help Service was available to the following
classes of patient in need of domestic help: —
(1) When the housewife falls sick or must have an operation.
(2) Where a wife is suddenly called away to see her husband
in hospital, and arrangements have to be made to look
after the children.
(3) Elderly people who are infirm or one of whom suddenly
falls ill.
(4) Where several members are ill at the same time, e.g., an
influenza epidemic.
This service had been greatly appreciated, and without it
many cases who have been nursed at home would have had to
be admitted to hospital, thereby aggravating the acute shortage
of hospital accommodation.
At the end of the year four full-time and 66 part-time Home
Helps were being employed. One hundred and seventy cases
received assistance during the year.
The organiser has worked in close co-operation with the
Superintendent Health Visitor and the District Midwives, and has
attended the Midwives' Ante-Natal Clinic.
WOODLANDS MATERNITY HOME
The number of cases admitted during the year was 322; 30
more than in 1946.
Dr. Housden, the Clinical Medical Officer, conducts the antenatal
clinics, and treats all cases requiring medical attention other
than private doctors' cases. He visits the Home daily, and thus
continuity of observation and treatment has been attained.
Miss Corrin commenced duty as Matron in June, 1944. She
has had special experience as a teacher of midwifery, and has
greatly improved the standard of the Home as a Part II training
school for pupil midwives.
During the year the electrically heated cot purchased for the
care of the premature infants born in Woodlands has been used
on several occasions.