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24
The educational and social training of pregnant women as a
complement of the medical examination is of the utmost importance
in the efforts to secure an improvement in the maternal mortality
and morbidity rates. The total number of visits paid by the Health
Visitors to expectant mothers in 1936 was 3,233.
There are five ante-natal clinics in the Borough and the number
of individual patients who attended these clinics, and the total
attendances recorded during 1936 are set out in the subjoined
table. Ante-natal supervision of patients is also carried out by the
Medical Officers at the Kempshead Hall and Cambridge House
Voluntary Association Centres at the regular infant clinic sessions.
The Council also has an arrangement with the London County
Council whereby that authority's ante-natal clinics at St. Giles'
and Dulwich Hospitals are placed at the disposal of private medical
practitioners and practising midwives for patients who have
arranged to be confined in their own homes. This arrangement
also includes post-natal supervision and dental treatment, but
not the provision of dentures.
During the year 2,013 or 61 per cent, of the total births took
place in institutions, and 1,285 or 39 per cent, in the homes of the
patients.

*Including patients attending from areas outside Camberwell.
Consultant Services.
Mr. Arnold Walker was appointed Obstetric Consultant in 1931
to render assistance to any doctor in the Borough requiring specialist
services in cases of difficulty or complications arising during
pregnancy or at or after confinement. No application was, however,
received by the Council for these services during 1936.