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(ii) Consultative Services.
Arrangements have been in force for some years for securing the
services of a consulting obstetrician, but it is a matter for regret
that this service is not utilised to a greater extent. It is hoped
that greater use may be made of this service in the future.
(iii) Emergency Units.
The matter of arranging, in certain types of cases, for the service of
skilled hospital staff being brought to the patient appears to be one
for the London County Council rather than for the Borough
Council.
(iv) Maternity accommodation.
Arrangements already exist for the provision of Maternity beds and
they appear to be adequate, and having regard to the fact that the
London County Council control a large number of hospitals it does
not seem to be necessary for the Borough Council to make any
further provision.
(v) Ante-natal Services.
They have asked for a special report from the Medical Officer of
Health upon this aspect of the circular and are informed that,
during the past 16 years, the Medical Officer of Ante-natal Clinics
has, at the original direction of an Inspector of the Ministry of
Health, sent on the average 20 cases per annum to the Obstetric
Specialist at the Royal Free Hospital, who is paid for the work
by the Ministry, and that the arrangement has worked well, apart
from the fact that occasionally difficulty is experienced in getting
the patient to pay her own fares to the Hospital. They are of
opinion that the existing arrangement should be continued, but that,
where necessary, payment of the patients' fares should be made
by the Council, and that the cost of this facility would not exceed
£5 per annum, and they have given instructions accordingly.
(vi) Post-natal Services.
They have also asked for a special report from the Medical Officer
of Health on this aspect, and are informed that a small number of
post-natal cases (about 10 per cent. of the working class mothers
confined) attend at the routine ante-natal sessions, but that otherwise
there are no specific facilities available in the Borough. They
are of opinion that weekly post-natal sessions should be held at
both the Kingsgate Road and Pond Street centres on the lines
indicated in the circular, as it is of paramount importance that
the facilities should be available at a reasonable distance for mothers
living at the eastern side of the Borough, and that a Doctor (preferably
female) with appropriate experience in all branches of postnatal
work should be appointed to attend the two sessions per
week for this purpose. As the Health Visiting staff are otherwise
fully engaged, a suitable nurse should be appointed to assist the