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3
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Fulham, S.W.6
July, 1939.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Fulham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the health and sanitary conditions of
the Borough for the year 1938.
The Vital Statistics reveal a healthy condition of things and one or two comments only are
needed. The maternal mortality rate, represented by one maternal death only, is the lowest in the
history of the borough, and the infant mortality rate occupies a similar proud position jointly with
the rate for 1935.
These figures are of particular interest in view of the increased facilities in the form of the
Parson's Green Clinic and Maternity Home which have been available to the public since October,
1937. In the three years before 1938, the attendances of expectant mothers at the ante-natal clinics
provided by the borough represented only 30 per cent. of the number of children born during those
years. In 1938, this percentage jumped to no less than 77. This dramatic increase represents, in
actual figures, the attendance of nearly 1,500 women at ante-natal clinics during 1938, considerably
more than twice the number of those who attended in 1937 and previously.
In previous years, the attendance of infants for the first time at the welfare centre had never
represented more than 60 per cent. of the total number of births during the year. In 1938, this
percentage soared to 71, and again it is reasonable to assume a connection between adequate facilities
and their utilisation. Whilst I had indicated to the Council my view that the increased facilities
would reveal the existence of a real need still to be met, the actual response is far beyond the most
sanguine expectations.
Post-natal clinics were developed for the first time during the year, but much educational work
in the necessity of a post-natal examination still remains to be done. Every woman, shortly after
confinement, receives a letter urging her to have a post-natal examination, either from her own doctor
or from the clinic doctor. The London County Council midwives also co-operate in stressing the
importance of this examination. The response can, so far, be described only as promising, and
during the year women receiving a post-natal examination represented 12 per cent. of the total notified
births (live and still). A leading gynaecologist pointed out some years ago that more than two-thirds
of the conditions met with in his hospital out-patients' department arose from incidents connected
with pregnancy or child birth. Most of these conditions are preventable, or remediable with early
treatment which can be provided at post-natal clinics.
The public's response to the facilities provided at Parson's Green should be a further encouragement
to the Council to proceed, at the earliest opportunity, with the erection of a clinic in the West
Kensington district. The Council not only appreciate this need, but have decided to meet it at the
earliest opportune moment.
Keep Fit Classes.
When a suitable hall became available with the opening of the new Health Centre at Parson's
Green towards the end of 1937 the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee, on the initiative of the
Chairman, Councillor Mrs. Marsh, decided to arrange for an experimental physical training class
for mothers attending the clinics. The London County Council were approached and expressed their
willingness to co-operate by providing the services of an instructress and a pianist and a class was