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31
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Clinics
For the former County Borough area the joint domiciliary
midwifery and hospital obstetric service continued to operate
under the unified clinical supervision of the Consultant Obstetricians.
One of the Obstetricians is a co-opted member of the
local authority Health, Maternity and Welfare Sub-Committee.
No similar unified service could be arranged for the former
Urban District, served by Redhill Hospital, because the pressure
of work on the staff of the Hospital Maternity unit did not
allow their attendance at outlying clinics. Nevertheless their
agreement to co-operate was forthcoming and further efforts will
be made.
There were meetings of the Maternity Liaison Committee where
questions of improvements in arrangements for early discharge of
mothers were discussed.
At ante-natal clinics a total of 7,491 mothers attended
during the year. 1,780 mothers attended the post-natal clinic.
At relaxation classes 715 mothers made 4,329 attendances. 335
mothers attended Mothercraft courses each consisting of 7
lectures. 3,624 patients had an initial blood test. 35 were found
to have Rh. anti-bodies. 21 were referred to the fecial Clinic
for Venereal Disease.
Care of Premature Babies
Arrangements for the supervision of premature babies after
discharge from hospital were extended to the whole borough
within the catchment area of Mayday Hospital. These include
routine estimations of haemoglobin with reference back to the
hospital of any infant found to have less than 60%.
For detailed figures see Appendix Page 109.
Phenylketonuria
All babies had a urine test by a midwife at home or in
hospital at 9 - 10 days after birth, and a second test by a
Health Visitor between 5 and 6 weeks of age. In 1965 Health
Visitors carried out 5,190 tests. No child was found to be
suffering from Phenylketonuria in 1965.
"At Risk" Register
Since 1963 Midwives and Health Visitors have notified babies
who may have a greater liability than the ordinary infant to
show congenital defects, so that thay may be kept under special
surveillance. These "risks" are as follows:-