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MATERNITY & CHILD WELFARE.
MATERNITY CLINICS.
Maternity Clinics were held as in recent years, except
that additional sessions had to he arranged at existing clinics,
and during 1941 a total of 438 new ante-natal cases attended the
91 sessions held. This is more than double the ante-natal
cases which attended during 1940 (207) and far more than during
the last completed year before the War (1938, i.e. 248). In
part this increase was due to the numbers coming in from outside
the District for whom other arrangements had to be made during
the year. Although slightly more than in 1940 the number of
post-natal visits was not at all in proportion to the ante-natal
visits. The post-natal mothers were probably discouraged from
attending by the large numbers of ante-natal cases seeking
advice but doubtless other war conditions also influenced them.
Almost all ante-natal cases which attend the clinics are
subsequently confined by midwives in their own homes or at
Purley Hospital, or are admitted to the County Hospital, Redhill.
In the latter case much closer supervision is possible, and at
less inconvenience than if the patient had to travel to Redhill
for ante-natal treatment.
The provision of dental treatment and the supply of
sterilised dressings was continued as in preceding years.
Appliances are supplied to post-natal mothers when required.
The issue of clothing coupons to ante-natal mothers commenced
during the year and while originally undertaken by the Milk
Officer for the Medical Officer of Health is now administered
by the Public Health Department.
EMERGENCY UNIT.
Th Emergency Unit based on Mayday Hospital is still
available ???ut its services have not been called upon for
residents ???n this District since its Inception.
OBSTETRIC SPECIALISTS.
During the year one of the Obstetric Specialists was
called in on 5 occasions for consultation, in 4 of which he
subsequent by operated.
MATERNITY C^SES.
During 1941 the number of maternity cases admitted to
Purley Hospital for their confinements under the Council's
Scheme was 55 compared with 62, 64, 6l and 6l in preceding years.
In addition 170 cases were admitted to. the County Hospital,
Redhill, compared with 98 in each of the two preceding years
and 64 in 1938, Owing to this increasing tendency to
hospitalisation of maternity cases, which is not confined to
this District, a process of selection has had to be introduced
based on medical and social need.
A uniform charge of 5/- per case is made for the
conveyance of maternity cases by ambulance to such hospitals as
are approved by the Medical Officer of Health.
MIDWIFERY SERVICE.
The Council's midwives attended 76 cases in their homes
during the year, which is less than in the preceding year owing
to the pro????onged illness of one of the Midwives.
ROME HELPS.
The Council has made arrangements for the supply of
Home Helps in necessitous cases, and during the year 28 cases
were assisted in this,way, this being two more than in 1940 and
10 more then in 1939, though still 3 less than in-1938.