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48
The following is the outline of a scheme which I am of opinion
will be found adequate for the present time, and in agreement
with the skeleton scheme drawn up by the Medical Officer of the
Board.
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
A scheme of this nature should consist of the following
elements :—
1. An Anie-natal Clinic for expectant mothers.
(a) This should be provided, if possible, at some hospital in
the Borough at which a physician for diseases of women would
attend one afternoon a week to see expectant mothers. Cases of
complication arising after parturition, in the mother, might be
examined by the same physician and dealt with by him ; or referred
to the appropriate physician or surgeon at the hospital. The
Metropolitan Hospital fulfils the condition of being in the Borough,
and it has a department for diseases of women. If the hospital
authorities are willing, I have no doubt, the Clinic might be arranged
with this department. Negotiations would be necessary to ascertain
if such an arrangement would be made, and at what cost.
(b) In connection with the Clinic, one or more Health Visitors
should be appointed. This officer should have the qualification
of a midwife, with some knowledge of sanitation of the home. Her
duties would be to visit the homes of expectant mothers, advise
them to attend the Clinic for consultation with the physician, to
hear the physician's instructions to the expectant mothers, and to
see, if possible, that his advice is followed. She would also see if
the sanitary condition of the home is satisfactory.
2. Arrangements with the London County Council, which is the
authority for the registration and supervision of midwives in
London, to ensure that expectant mothers shall have skilled and
prompt attendance during confinement at home.