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Following the usual procedure, and in accordance with the
instructions of the Ministry of Health, the 6 deaths of Battersea
mothers were fully investigated, and reports submitted to the
Ministry.
The Council has made free provision under its Maternity and
Child Welfare scheme for the ante-natal examination of expectant
mothers, and arrangements are made for X-ray examinations to
be carried out at the hospitals of the London County Council,
without charge to the mother in necessitous cases. Printed
booklets of advice to expectant mothers are provided free of charge.
Arrangements have also been made as suggested by the
Ministry to place at the disposal of medical practitioners practising
in Battersea, specialist advice in difficult maternity cases.
This service was requisitioned in one case during 1938.
Doctors and practising midwives are invited to refer expectant
mothers for examination and report by the consultant specialist
who attends the ante-natal clinics on three days weekly, but in
the past have failed to avail themselves of these facilities to any
appreciable extent. The Council have also agreed to compensate
any practising midwife who suffers loss of fees owing to her patient
(having been referred by her to the Council's ante-natal clinic)
entering hospital for her confinement on the advice of the medical
officer of the clinic.
The emergency obstetric service to be provided by the London
County Council (referred to on page 38) had not yet come into being
at the end of the year.
Convalescent Homes.
During 1938 accommodation was provided for 6 mothers
and 6 children attending the Maternity and Child Welfare clinics
at four approved convalescent homes. The cost incurred by the
Council amounted to about £9 10s. 0d., and two of the families