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38
causes responsible for the high maternal mortality prevailing in
this country and the final Report of the Committee will therefore
be read with increased interest by the public.
Reference was made in the last Annual Report to the value
of the Maternity Services of the Council as 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.
It is satisfactory to note that in 1932 the comparison was
equally favourable to 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
practising in Battersea, 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 also in the Hospital
for 12 pupil midwives undergoing training at a time.
Many of the patients admitted during the year were cases of
extreme gravity or emergency, requiring the calling in of the
services of the Consultant Obstetrician.
A Post-Natal Clinic has been established at the Hospital where
women who have been confined therein may attend for examination
six weeks after confinement. During 1932 there were 49 sessions
held and 493 attendances were made, 489 being new cases. The
average attendance per session was 10.1.
Arrangements have been made for Mr. F. W. Roques, M.S.,
F.R.C.S., of the Middlesex Hospital, to act as Consultant Obstetrician
and his services are available in cases of grave emergency.
It was found necessary to call in the services of the Consultant
Obstetrician in 12 cases during the year as compared with 11 cases
in 1931.