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21
ANTE AND POST NATAL CLINICS
Existing arrangements for a unified service at Lodge Road and at New
Addington Clinics continued. Although there was a slight fall in attendances
at Lodge Road, expectant mothers have in recent years tended to bring with
them several members of the family. Older relatives to act as interpreters,
and children because they could not be left alone.
Authority was obtained to build an additional Waiting Room to be
equipped as a play centre, to accommodate the children. Its possible use as
premises for a nursery group outside the times of Clinic sessions was also
considered, as this would add much needed facilities in an area of the
Borough where the demand is great. It was anticipated that a pre-fabricated
unit would be provided under the Urban Aid scheme early in 1970.
The numbers attending the Relaxation and Mothercraft Classes were
considerably greater than in 1968. Furthermore, attention was given to coordinating
the contributions of the midwives, health visitors, and physiotherapists,
who combine to provide this service.
At the ante-natal clinics a total of 5,795 mothers attended during the
year.
1. No. of patients seen for first blood test 3,299
2. No. of patients found to have antibodies 67
3. No. of patients sent to Special Clinic 30
Care of Premature Babies
Arrangements for the supervision of premature babies after discharge
from hospital extend 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 102
Phenylketonuria
During 1969 all babies born in the Borough or normally resident there
had a Guthrie test. The programme is co-ordinated by the Supervisor of
Midwives, and she ensures that results are notified to interested professional
personnel. Likewise the Domiciliary Midwives obtain any repeat
specimens. Although there were several requests for repeat tests, no new
cases were discovered during the year.