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(3) a hospital, where a bed may be reserved in certain circumstances.
Expectant mothers making arrangements (2) or (3) usually
attend the Council's Maternity Clinics but private doctors can also
refer their cases for special purposes, e.g. blood tests for rhesus
factor, etc. Normally every case has an X-ray examination of the
chest, and a full examination including regular weighing and
examination of the urine, blood, blood pressure, etc.
Arrangements have been made in some instances for the
District Midwives to assist general practitioners at ante-natal
sessions in their surgeries.
The results of the arrangement of alternative services under the
Health Service Act have recently been reviewed and are being
kept under supervision with the aim of ensuring that every anteand
post-natal mother gets the full advantage of modern knowledge,
and that no gaps exist or inferior standards of practice are
permitted, but that the closest co-operation between all branches
of the Health Service is secured.
During 1957, 303 residents had their babies in their own
homes, some 222 at 7 hospitals in the County, including 205 at
Redhill County, some 360 at 29 hospitals outside the County including
163 at Purley Hospital and 126 at Mayday, while about 72
were confined in private nursing homes.
Only 32% arranging for home confinements is a low proportion
but one for which there are a number of reasons.
Official Maternity Clinics are now held at
62, Whytecliffe Road, 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday in each month,
Purley. 10 a.m.—12 noon.
and every Thursday, 2 p.m.—4 p.m.
Westway, Caterham- Every Tuesday, 2—4 p.m. (For Old Coulsdon
on-the-Hill. mothers).
The Baptist Church, 2nd and 4th Wednesday
Addington Road, in each month, 10 a.m.
Selsdon. —12 noon.
With the decreased attendances at all the Council's Maternity
Clinics the Selsdon sessions may be discontinued in the near future
and the Purley sessions reduced to the Thursday afternoons only.
Mothercraft and Relaxation Classes.
Classes covering these subjects were commenced in Purley at
the end of 1953 and the numbers attending have steadily increased
hence it is hoped to extend the facilities in the near future. Meanwhile
it is necessary for expectant mothers wishing to join these
classes to make application to the Divisional Health Visitor at
115 Brighton Road, Purley, who will inform them as soon as a
vacancy occurs.
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