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5
available for this branch of preventive health work has been rendered
suitable in every respect for the purpose, and will make for
greater efficiency in this highly important work.
The development of the Ante-Natal side of the work has been
a highly satisfactory feature of this year's work in connection
with the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme. The accommodation
provided for the chief ante-natal clinic at the Borough Maternity
Hospital has been found inadequate, and in other respects unsuitable
for the efficient carrying out of this important branch of
maternity work. Accordingly it has been decided on the report
of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee to erect a new
Out-Patient building adjoining the Maternity Hospital. Plans and
specifications have been prepared and submitted to the Ministry
of Health, and approved, and it is anticipated that this new Wing
to the Hospital will be completed in the coming year. The importance
of ante-natal work in its effect upon the reduction of
Maternal Mortality will be appreciated by a perusal of the report
of the year's work on pages 27 to 33 of this Report.
The Borough Maternity Hospital and the District Midwifery
Service continue to do useful work. The Hospital was occupied
to its fullest capacity during the year, and notwithstanding the
large number of difficult and dangerous cases admitted, it is worthy
of note that only one maternal death has occurred during the past
three years out of over 1,800 cases admitted. The Hospital for
some time past has been run on the Team principle, providing
complete co-ordination between the Consultant in charge of the
Ante-Natal Clinics which every patient admitted is required to
attend before her admission, the Resident Medical Officer and the
Obstetric Consultant, who is available in cases of grave emergency.
I regret to have again to allude to the serious over-crowding
which exists in some of the lower Wards of the Borough, and for
purposes of illustration I have prepared an analysis of the number
of applications received during a period of ten weeks for housing accommodation
from families residing, or rather existing, in Battersea
under, in many cases, conditions of hardship and dangerous overcrowding.
An examination of this Return will give some idea of
the unhealthy environment and social degradation under which
many of these unfortunate people are condemned to live.
In conclusion, I have again to record my appreciation of the
support and assistance extended to me by the Mayor, the Chairmen
of the various Committees', and the Members of the Council. I have
also to acknowledge the valuable help which I have received from
my colleagues, the Chief Officers of the Council, and to the Staff of
the Public Health Department my thanks are also due for services
always willingly rendered.
G. Quin Lennane,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall,
Lavender Hill, S.W. 11.