London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Coulsdon and Purley 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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Attendances at Ante-Natal Clinics, 1937.
| clinics. | Number on register. | Attendances. | Sessions. | Average attendance per session. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New cases. | Total. | ||||
| 69, Brighton Road, Purley (prior to 12.7.37 at the Methodist Ch., Coulsdon). | |||||
| Ante-natal | 157 | 108 | 593 | ||
| Post-natal | 43 | — | 50 | ||
| Gynaecological | 4 | 1 | 4 | ||
| Individuals | 160 | 109 | 647 | ||
| 32 | 20.8 | ||||
| Methodist Hall, Sylverdale Road, | |||||
| Purley Ante-natal | 79 | 62 | 351 | ||
| Post-natal | 36 | 4 | 51 | ||
| Gynaecological | 6 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Individuals | 88 | 71 | 408 | ||
| 24 | 17.0 | ||||
| Baptist Hall, Addington Rd., selsdon | |||||
| Ante-natal | 47 | 34 | 138 | ||
| Post-natal | 23 | — | 32 | ||
| Gynaecological | — | — | — | ||
| Individuals | 47 | 34 | 170 | ||
| 12 | 14.2 | ||||
| All Centres | |||||
| Ante-natal | 283 | 204 | 1082 | ||
| Post-natal | 102 | 4 | 133 | ||
| Gynaecological | 10 | 6 | 10 | ||
| Individuals | 295 | 214 | 1225 | ||
| 68 | 18.0 | ||||
The chief purpose of these Clinics is to ensure that those prospective
mothers who would not otherwise obtain supervision during the Antenatal
period by a qualified medical practitioner can secure this service.
The result is that almost all cases which attend are subsequently confined
by midwives in their own homes or at Purley Hospital, or are admitted
to Queen Charlotte's or the County Hospital, Redhill. In the latter
cases much closer supervision is possible, and at less inconvenience than
would occur if the patient had to travel to London or Redhill for antenatal
treatment.
Efforts were made during the year to secure much closer cooperation
between the various agencies concerned, and with the advent
of a recognised midwifery service covering the whole district, the Clinics
will continue to provide a most useful service, although the numbers
attending may not greatly increase. Complicated cases are referred
to their own doctors or to the Council's Obstetric Specialists when this
is desirable in the interests of the patient.
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