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(4) Hospital Beds.
Hospital accommodation is rccommended:—
(1) for eases needing institutional treatment, including not
only complications of labour and the puerperium, but also patients
suffering from abnormal ante-natal conditions and intercurrent
diseases, and
(2) for patients whose home conditions are unsuitable for
confinement.
On financial grounds the Council has had to defer, for the time
being, the question of the erection of a Maternity Home. Instead,
arrangements have been made for the admission of patients to
Oldchurch and Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford. Most cases
admitted have been in anticipation of difficulties of labour, though
some few for abnormalities of pregnancy. In addition the Consultant
has arranged for the admission of a large number of patient
seen by him to his own beds at one of the London Hospitals.
Few removals are necessary on account of unsuitable home
conditions. Where the difficulties are domestic ones, such as lack
of supervision of the other children, etc., the case is best met by the
provision of home helps.
(5) Provision of Ancillaries.
(1) Sterilized maternity outfits arc stored at the various clinic*
and are available for clinic mothers at cost price. In certain
circumstances, a reduced fee is chargcd and in some eases of
hardship the outfits arc provided free. These outfits can also be
obtained by non-clinic mothers on the recommendation of their
medical attendant. Although doctors, midwives and patients
are reminded of these outfits, surprisingly little demand is made
on them, even by those who would receive them free.
(2) Home Helps arc provided for domestic assistance, usual!)
for two weeks after labour, the time being extended when necessary
These are available also for complications of pregnancy, in
eases where the patient requires removal to hospital. The) are
also provided in those eases of mothers who arc receiving
natal supervision from their own doctors or from a hospital.
(3) In necessitous cases, milk is supplied to mothers during
the last three months of pregnancy and also to nursing mothers.
(4) Laboratory facilities. Examination of clinical material
is undertaken by the Essex County Laboratories.