View report page

81
Other Provisions.
Two children tinder five years of age were supplied
with spectacles at a cost of 18s. 6d.
One child was maintained at the Royal Sea Bathing
Hospital, Margate, at a cost of £75 4s. 8d. She has nowattained
the age of five years and her maintenance will
therefore now be chargeable to the Education
Committee.
Consultant Obstetrician.
As was mentioned on page 60 of my report for the
previous year, a Consultant Obstetrician has been
appointed, and since the commencement until the end
of the year, his services were obtained on 15 occasions.
In each case an income enquiry form was sent to the
husband, but it was found that owing to other necessary
expenses incurred, it was not considered that the
families were in a position to reimburse the Council for
his services.
Any medical practitioner attending a confinement
of a resident of the district may communicate with the
Consultant by telephone, and arrange for his attendance
at any time of the day or night. After such attendances,
the Consultant forwards a form to the Medical Officer
of Health on which is stated the circumstances
occasioning his presence and the result of the
confinement.
I regard this appointment as a long step forward
towards the completion of our maternity arrangements.
Not only is the safety of the mothers enhanced, but also
the knowledge that specialist assistance is available
is most advantageous to the medical practitioner.