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38
In recent years there has been a slight increase in maternal
mortality in the County of London, and an upward tendency in
the incidence of Puerperal Sepsis. In Battersea, however, while
the mortality has also slightly increased, it has been consistently
lower than in the whole County, and during the past two years,
notwithstanding the slight increase in 1933, has shown a marked
decline compared with the average for some years previously.
The incidence of Puerperal Sepsis has also declined in Battersea,
the rate last year per 1,000 births being lower than any rate recorded
in recent years.
In 1933 only six boroughs in London showed a lower maternal
mortality rate than Battersea, while in the previous five years
(1928-32) there were eight boroughs with a lower mean rate. On
page 136 will be found a table comparing the maternal mortality
statistics in Battersea with those of the County of London.
Reference has been made in previous Annual Reports 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 1933 the comparison continued
to be 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.