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6
NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS
The 917 entries in the Birth Register during the
calendar year included 134 inward transfers and 169 outward
transfers, leaving a total of 748 entries, less 22 stillbirths;
or 726 infants belonging to Beckenham.
ANTE-NATAL WORK
In 285 of the 614 births in and belonging to tho area, the
services of a private medical practitioner were engaged, and
the remaining 329 were attended by Midwives. It is for these
latter cases that examination and supervision at the Ante-Natal
Clinics is intended, and 292 of these were examined at the
Clinics, compared with 233 in 1939.
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 412
visits during 1940.
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 wore 830
compared with 611 in 1939.
The panel contains the names of most Doctors practising
in the District.
During the year the following work was done under the
scheme:-
Sessions held 74
Number of mothers attending for examination 292
Number of attendances made 830
The arrangements worked smoothly and the appointments
were well kept both by doctors and patients. In 5 cases X-ray
examinations were carried out at a local hospital to assist
in diagnoses.
The Assistant Medical Officer saw 43 new cases, made 71
re-examinations of expectant mothers, and made 25 post-natal
examinations.
HOME KELPS
A list of approved "Home Helps", that is, women who
undertake domestic work and look after the family during the
mother's confinement, is kept. 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
1940, the Health Visitors made a home visit to 639 new cases.
The work done is summarised below:-