London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Coulsdon and Purley 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]

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The chief thing is to see that all cases are properly examined post-natally,
and thus avoid the inconvenience and suffering which has often in the
past resulted from neglect following childbirth.
Where necessary, appliances are supplied to post-natal mothers, a
reduced charge being made if this is indicated.
Cases requiring special treatment are referred either to their own
doctors, or to the Specialists at Croydon or at one of the London
Hospitals.

Post-Natal, Clinics.

(Established 19th July, 1937).

Attendances.Sessions.Average attendance per session.
New cases.Total.
Post-natal573
Ante-natal28143
Gynaecological471120
Individuals37223

Obstetric Specialists.
In March, 1934, the Council appointed as Obstetric Specialists to
the Council Mr. Leslie Williams and Mr. Joseph Wrigley, both of whom
are specialists in this work attached to London Hospitals. In November,
1937, a third name was added, viz., Mr. Douglas Lindsay.
The services of these Specialists are available for advice, and, if
necessary, treatment in any case in which obstetrical difficulty is anticipated
or realised, or puerperal fever or pyrexia develops, in any ratepayer
in this District. In practice, they are only called in to cases in which
the full normal fee of a Specialist cannot be afforded.
During the year one or other of the Specialists was called in for
consultation on 5 occasions.
From September, 1938, it was decided to make no attempt to
recover any part of the fees of the Specialists from the patients for a trial
period of one year.
Emergency Unit.
During the year consideration was given to the provision of an
Emergency Unit, (commonly known as a "Flying Squad"), which could
render assistance in cases of obstetrical emergency of such a nature
as to make it necessary for the treatment to be given in the patient's
own home. It being anticipated that very few cases would need this
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