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In view of the fact that a large percentage of applications from all
sources are being refused owing to lack of accommodation, a good deal
of attention has been paid to this question during 1935. Various difficulties
have delayed progress, but it is hoped that in the near future
some concrete scheme for providing adequate maternity accommodation
will be forthcoming.
Meanwhile arrangements have been made with Queen Charlotte's
and St. Mary's Hospitals, London, to take any emergency cases which
cannot be accommodated in the Purley or Epsom Hospitals. Special
facilities for transport to all of these hospitals are available.
There are, in addition, five private Maternity Homes.
Home Helps.
The Council has made arrangements for the supply of Home Helps
in necessitous maternity cases since 1920, and during the year 25 cases
were assisted in this way, as compared with 13 in 1934.
Health Visitation.
In May, 1935, it became necessary to appoint an additional Health
Visitor. The Council thus employs the services of three full-time Health
Visitors, who work under the supervision of the Medical Officer of
Health.
It will be seen from the following detailed list of visits paid by
the Health Visitors during 1935, that a total of 6,725 visits have been
paid, this being 1,557 more than in 1934. The additional visits were
due to the increased assistance available, and it is satisfactory to be
able to report that not only was it possible to provide more adequate
visitation per child, but also to increase the number of Ante-Natal Clinics
and sessions, and the amount of fully-qualified help in the Child Welfare
Centres.
Nearly all the houses at which births were notified in the District
were visited at least once, and in the vast majority the advice given
then, and at subsequent visits, or at the Maternity and Child Welfare
Centres, has been much appreciated.
Visits paid by Health Visitors.
555 first visits to Babies.
15 investigations of Infant Deaths.
22 investigations of Still Births.
1,691 visits to Babies under 1 year.
8,718 visits to Children from 1 to 5 years.
2X2 Ante-Natal visits (122 first visits, 90 re-visits)
86 visits to eases of Tuberculosis (39 first visits, 47 re-visits).
41 visits to cases of Whooping Cough (21 first visits, 20 re-visits).
7 visits to cases of Measles (4 .'irst visits, 3 re-visits).
7 visits to cases of Chicken Pox (6 lirst visits, 1 re-visit).
1 visit to a case of Puerperal Sepsis
370 Miscellaneous visits.
6,725 Total.
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