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44
The value of the Maternity Services of the Council is illustrated
by a comparison of the Maternal Mortality Rate among women
confined in the Borough Maternity Hospital and on the District
Midwifery Service with that of the Borough as a whole.
In the ten years 1921-30, during which the Hospital has been
open, only 8 deaths have occurred in the Hospital from puerperal
causes, giving a mortality rate of 1-6, as compared with a rate for
the Borough as a whole of 2.78, and on the District Midwifery
Service only 1 death has occurred.
These results are most satisfactory and encouraging, and
strikingly illustrate the value of the Council's Maternity Service.
In this connection also, arrangements were made on the lines
suggested by the Ministry to place at the disposal of medical practitioners
specialist advice in difficult maternity cases.
BOROUGH MATERNITY HOSPITAL.
The Borough Maternity Hospital is situate at 19 and 20
Bolingbroke Grove, overlooking Wandsworth Common. It was
established soon after the war, and was opened for the reception of
maternity cases in February, 1921. Accommodation is provided
for 30 patients at one time. The Hospital is also a recognised
training institution for pupil-midwives, and, in addition, a District
Midwifery Service for the attendance of the District Midwife on
patients in their own homes is directed from the Hospital.
The Central Ante-Natal Clinics and Special Treatment Clinics
are held at the Out-Patient Department of the Hospital.
The Nursing Staff of the Hospital consists of a Matron, Sister
and 4 Staff Nurses. There is accommodation in the Hospital for
12 pupil midwives undergoing training at one time.
Many of the patients were cases of extreme gravity
or emergency, requiring the calling in of the services of the Consultant
Obstetrician. A resident Medical Officer appointed by the
Council in 1927 acts as a liaison officer between the Ante-Natal
and Obstetric Consultants. This appointment has been fully
justified by the results obtained.
The appointment of a Resident Medical Officer has also enabled
a Post-Natal Clinic to be established at the Hospital where women
who have been confined in the Hospital may attend for examination
six weeks after confinement. During 1930 there were 46 sessions
held and 421 attendances were made, 420 being new cases. The
average attendance per session was 9.2.
It is regretted that the services of Dr. J. S. Fairbairn, Consultant
Obstetrician, who has retired from the position of Senior Obstetric