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Report of the Medical Officer of Health. 97
Great difficulty was experienced in finding accommodation
for expectant mothers, most of the lying-in hospitals and maternity
homes being booked up months in advance. There is urgent need
for more maternity beds, as with the present housing difficulty it
is frequently unsuitable for the confinement to take place in the
crowded homes.
Arrangements are being made for the establishment of a
maternity home in the Borough in the near future.
Hospitals and other Institutions for Expectant and Nursing Mothers
and Young Children as In-patients.
The Streatham Babies' Hospital is the only institution of the
kind in the Borough, and infants from any part of the Borough are
admitted. There are at present 14 cots, including three isolation
cots, but the accommodation is shortly to be extended to 20
cots. The staff consists of a visiting medical officer, a matron,
two sisters (day and night), and four nurses (probationers). There
is also one domestic servant.
The minimum charge at the beginning of the year was five
shillings, but is now seven shillings and sixpence per week, the
highest fee yet received is 12s. 6d. per week. No child is admitted
free except in cases of extreme poverty.
Sixty-two infants passed through the hospital during the year,
the average stay being 5 4 weeks.
The complaints from which they suffered were marasmus,
diarrhcea and vomiting, constipation, rickets, convulsions, anaemia,
peritonitis, bronchitis and broncho-pmeumonia and of the cases
two proved fatal.
Two epidemics occurred during the year, viz. : whoopingcough
and influenza, necessitating the closing of the hospital for
five months.
There are three institutions in the Borough for the reception
of expectant unmarried mothers, all in connection with rescue work.