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NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS.
The 1,021 entries in the Birth Register during the calendar
year included 176 inward transfers and 131 outward transfers,
leaving a total of 890 entries, less 19 stillbirths; or 871 infants
belonging to Beckenham.
ANTE-NATAL WORK.
In 241 of the 692 births in and belonging to the area, the
services of a private medical practitioner were engaged, and the
remaining 451 were attended by Midwives. It is for these latter
cases that examination and supervision at the Ante¬Natal Clinics
is intended, and 233 of these were examined at the Clinics.
All assessments for the Maternity Home are made through
the Office, and a visiting card is made out so that advice can be
given by the Health Visitors; this work necessitated 370 visits
during 1939.
ANTE- AND POST NATAL PANEL.
The Scheme approved by the Council whereby the ante-natal
examination of expectant mothers would be conducted by medical
practitioners practising in the district, continued in operation
during the year, and the total attendances were 611 compared with
528 in 1938.
The panel contains the names of 34 Doctors practising in the
District.
During the year the following work was done under the
scheme:—
Sessions held 70
Number of mothers attending for examination 233
Number of attendances made 611
Number of Doctors attending 35
The arrangements worked smoothly and the appointments
were well kept by both doctors and patients. In 11 cases X-Ray
examinations were carried out at a local hospital to assist in
diagnoses.
The Assistant Medical Officer saw 55 new cases, made 75
re-examinations of expectant mothers, and made 34 post-natal
examinations.
HOME HELPS.
A list is kept of approved "Home Helps," that is, women who
undertake domestic work and look after the family during the
mother's confinement. In certain cases the Council pay all or
part of the fee for such assistance.
HOME VISITING
This work is carried out by the Health Visitors. During 1939
the Health Visitors made a home visit to 554 out of 714 new cases
belonging to the district. The work done is summarised below:—
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