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50
lie recognised that on the whole there has been a widespread response.
After citing instances in which the work has been done,
he stated that in spite of developments during the past three years
to improve and develop the maternity sen-ices, the maternal mortality
has not yet begun to fall. In all areas there is probably
need for more intensive efforts to educate women as to the importance
of ante-natal supervision and to persuade them to make use
of the facilities provided for this purpose.
It was suggested that each local authority should forthwith
review the position in their area by reference to the suggestions
made in Memorandum 156 and take such steps as are necessary to
complete the local organisation and ensure its effective working.
In particular he wished to urge the authorities of those areas in
which the maternal mortality is persistently high to give consideration
to further efforts to reduce the avoidable risks of child-bearing.
The Minister deemed it desirable that a special report on the
subject should be made, showing to what extent effect has already
been given to the suggestions made in the Memorandum, and in
the recommendation of the Maternal Mortality Committee in
their final report for 1932.
This report was submitted to the Cliild Welfare Committee in
December and though consideration of the question was postponed
to January and the suggestions made were not carried out last year,
a summary of that report is now given.
Maternal Mortality in Acton.