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MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
MATERNITY CLINICS,
Three Maternity Clinics have been established and
additional sessions had to be held at these, as in 1941, owing
to the increased number, of cases attending. In addition extra
staff had to be employed to cope with the work, and this in spite
of the fact that the County Council continued to deal with those
cases which reside outside the District but were previously seen
at the local Clinics.
In 1942, the total number of new Ante-natal cases which
attended was 431, this being only 7 less than in 1941, compared
with 207 in 1940 and 248 in 1938. The actual number Of sessions
held was 108 compared with'91 in 1941. As a result it was
possible to see the ante-natal mothers more frequently, the total
number of ante-natal visits being 2,603, which was 525 more than
in the previous year.
With the first consideration being given to the ante-natal
mothers, it was not Surprising that the increase in the
proportion of cases attending post-natally was not great.
There was, however, a slight increase in the post-natal
attendances from 169 in 1941 to 203 in 1942. It will be
necessary to consider, when conditions become more stabilised,
whether the facilities provided for post-natal examination are
adequate.
Almost all 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 would occur if each patient had to travel to Redhill for
ante-natal treatment.
Where necessary dental treatment for ante-natal mothers
was arranged and sterilised dressings provided, as in preceding
years, while appliances were supplied to those post-natal mothers
who needed them, all the above being provided, if necessary, at
reduced cost.
The issue of clothing coupons to ante-natal mothers, which
commenced in 1941, continued throughout the year, the scheme
being administered by the Public Health; Department on behalf of
the Ministry of Health. On the instructions of the latter,
however, the future responsibility for this issue is to be
transferred to the Food Office.
EMERGENCY UNIT.
The Emergency Unit based on Mayday Hospital is still
available but its services have not been called upon since its
inception.
OBSTETRIC SPECIALISTS.
During the year none of the Obstetric Specialists was
called in for consultation under the Council's Scheme, although
attending privately where necessary.
MATERNITY CASES.
During 1942 the number of maternity cases admitted to
Purley Hospital under the Council's Scheme was 69, compared with
55 last year and an average of 62 for the preceding four years.
In addition 203 cases were admitted to Redhill County
Hospital, compared with 170 cases in 1941, 98 in each of the two
preceding years and 64 in 1938.
Owing to the increasing tendency for maternity cases to
seek admission to hospital for their confinements, which
tendency has been experienced throughout the whole Country, the
process of selection based on medical and social need, which had
to be introduced in view of the relative Inadequacy of hospital
accommodation and nursing staff, has had to be even more
stringently applied.