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GENERAL
MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF STAFF
Twenty-five persons were medically examined to determine their fitness
for acceptance on the permanent staff; all except one were found to be fit.
One of the conditions of the scheme for sickness pay for employees
who come within the scope of the National and Provincial Councils
for Non-Trading Services (Manual Workers) is that all new employees
be required to submit to a medical examination before the completion
of six months' service with the Council in order to determine their fitness
for admission to the scheme. 86 persons were examined, 51 of whom
were accepted for the scheme. One examination was carried out for
other purposes.
PERINATAL MORTALITY SURVEY
Since the turn of the century there has been a steady fall in the infant
mortality and stillbirth rates. Although there has been considerable progress
in the care of babies during the first week of life, the fall in infant
mortality has been mainly confined to babies over one week old. Hornsey
has been in the forefront of progress in this field, and, like most boroughs
in the south of England, these vital statistics have always shown low rates.
Perinatal mortality relates to stillbirths and deaths of babies under one
week old; in the main the causes of deaths are the same. Of recent years,
however, no further advance has been made, and indeed from 1956 onwards
the rates have shown a rise. An enquiry was immediately set in
hand; a meeting was held in the Health Department with the consultant
obstetricians at nearby hospitals and it was decided to carry out a thorough
investigation of all perinatal deaths occurring either as home confinements
or at these hospitals (North Middlesex and Whittington, including
Alexandra Maternity Home). Some two-thirds of all births were thus
included in the survey. In addition certain enquiries were made about all
deaths occurring in hospitals other than the above. I am particularly
indebted to Mr. J. M. Scott, O.B.E., and Mr. R. G. Law of the Whittington
Hospital and Mr. A. W. Purdie of the North Middlesex Hospital, who
have personally taken part in the survey. This survey was undertaken in
1957 and during 1958 its results were discussed with the obstetricians at a
further meeting. They were enthusiastically of the opinion that the survey
should be continued for a further two years, i.e. for 1958 and 1959 so
as to confirm the results obtained. All those concerned in ante-natal
care, doctors, midwives and health visitors, are being kept in touch
with progress of the survey.
While, statistically speaking, accurate statements are not yet possible,
it can be seen that the deaths fall into four broad categories.
1. Congenital defects.
2. Toxaemia of pregnancy.
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