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37
Annual Report. The development of ante-natal supervision during
the past two or three years has played an important part in the
success which has already been obtained through the Council's
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme. It should not be forgotten
in this connection that the reduction in maternal mortality is not
the only gain. There is also the diminished incidence in the suffering,
invalidity and incapacity which, in the case of the survivors, as
Sir George Newman pointed out, is exerting a serious effect upon
the well-being of the community.
Borough Maternity Hospital.
The Borough Maternity Hospital was opened early in 1921.
The Hospital is situated at 19 and 20 Bolingbroke Grove,
directly overlooking Wandsworth Common. In addition to being
a lying-in hospital, it is a recognised Training Institution for PupilMidwives,
and a District Midwifery Service is also run in connection
with the Hospital.
The Central Ante-natal and Special Treatment Clinics are also
held at the Out-patients Department of the Hospital.
Medical attendance when required is provided by a rota of
local medical practitioners. The services of the Consultant Obstetrician
to the Hospital, Dr. J. S. Fairbairn, M.D., F.R.C.S.,
F.R.C.P., Senior Obstetric Physician to St. Thomas' Hospital (or
his deputy, Dr. A. C. Richardson, M.D., F.R.C.S.) are also available
in cases of grave emergency.
The Staff of the Hospital consists of a Matron, 1 Sister and 4
Staff Nurses. There is also accommodation for the training of 12
pupil-midwives.
During 1925, 560 cases were admitted to the Hospital (30 beds),
an increase of 150 cases compared with 1924.
The increase in the number of patients admitted during 1925
is a very satisfactory feature of the year's work, indicating (a) that
the popularity of the Institution is increasing, and (b) that the cost
of maintenance per bed has been reduced. An even more satisfactory
feature is that notwithstanding the greatly increased number
of patients admitted, not a single maternal death occurred. No
case of puerperal sepsis occurred during the year.
The number of infant deaths was 6 less than in 1924.
It was found necessary to call in the services of the Consultant
Obstetrician in 5 cases of grave emergency during the year, as
compared with 6 cases in 1924.