View report page

57
MATERNITY WARD.
One of the wards at the Isolation Hospital continued to be
used for maternity cases, 113 cases being admitted and 124 babies
born, as compared with 120 in 1923, or 14.2 per cent. of the total
births during the year, took place in the maternity ward.
The low percentage of beds occupied is some matter for
regret, considering the present overcrowded state of the district
and the unsuitable conditions under which in many cases confinement
takes place, points dwelt upon at some length in my last
year's Report. Although the economic factor may be regarded
as the main obstacle to further advantage being taken of the above
provision, allowance must be made for the prejudice which still
exists against an infectious hospital being used for maternity
purposes, whilst it must further be admitted that particular midwives
may not for financial reasons care to lose too many cases
considering the number of midwives now practising in the district.
The following return required by the Ministry of Health for
the year ended 31st December, 1924, in respect of the Maternity
Ward should serve to remove many of the existing fears and
prejudices in the minds of m..ny with respect to the use made of
part of an infectious hospital for maternity work. The almost
entire freedom from complications and necessities for medical aid
are worthy of notice:—
(1) Total number of cases admitted 143
(2) Average duration of stay 1.34 days
(3) Number of cases delivered by—
(a) Midwives 124
(b) Doctors —