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Dental treatment for ante-natal mothers continued to
be arranged where necessary and sterilised dressings provided,
while appliances were supplied to post-natal cases when
circumstances justified this assistance.
emergency unit.
The Emergency Obstetrical Unit based on Mayday
Hospital was again called upon once during the year and proved
of great value.
OBSTETRIC SPECIALISTS.
The only one of the Obstetric Specialists normally
available in the District was unfortunately incapacitated or
absent from the District during a great deal of the year and
temporary alternative arrangements had to be made at times.
Fortunately the position has now improved.
MATERNITY CASES.
During 1944 the number of maternity cases admitted
to Purley Hospital under the Council's scheme was 58, compared
with 73, 69 and 55 in the three preceding years. 'The maternity
section of this hospital was almost empty during the summer
months, 12 bookings being cancelled. Similarly the number of
maternity cases admitted to Redhill County Hospital was only
107, compared with 150 in 1943, and 203 and 170 in the two
preceding years, but even so it was 9 more than in 1939 and 1940
and 43 more than in 1938. Only mothers expecting their first
babies, or with physical or social complications could' be
admitted, owing to lack of accommodation.
On the other hand 14 cases were evacuated through
the official Evacuation Scheme but arrangements were made for
more than this number, some having to cancel before being
evacuated. Numbers of other mothers made their own private
arrangements to leave the Districts some being assisted and
many advised by the Public Health Department.
A uniform charge of 5/- per case is made for the
conveyance of maternity cases by ambulance to any hospital
approved by the Medical Officer of Health, while a similar
charge is made if, in order to avoid infection, undue strain
on the mother, etc.,the mother and baby subsequently return
home by ambulance.
MIDWIFERY SERVICE.
With the evacuation of mothers first one and then
the other Council's Midwife escorted mothers to Broomshiels
Hall Emergency Maternity Home, Satley, Tow Law, County Durham,
where they remained in residence, helping to confine and attend
to evacuated mothers sent to this institution, Altogether one
or other was absent from this District for four months.
During their time in this District the Purley
Midwife attended 50 cases (33 midwifery and 17 maternity) and
the Selsdon Midwife 49 cases (20 midwifery and 29 maternity)
a total of 99 cases, compared with 103, 96, 76, 96, 87 and 87
in the preceding 6 years. Neither Midwife wished to leave the
District during the period of flying bomb attack and only did
so on request when they realised the greater need of the
evacuated.
CARE OF PREMATURE BABIES.
At the end of the year special consideration was
given to the particular problems attaching to the care of
premature infants, and the following measures were instituted.