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84
Hospital Cases.—Of the 174 cases referred to
hospital. 120 were assisted under the Maternity and
Child Welfare Scheme, 124 of which were admitted on
other than medical grounds. The commonest sole reason
for this was unsuitable domestic circumstances which
accounted for 65, followed by 57 sent in because it was
their first pregnancy, and two were admitted on economic
grounds. In the remaining cases, more than one factor
operated, domestic circumstances being the part reason
in 26, first pregnancy in another 19, and five on economic
grounds.
Abnormal eases are referred to their own medical
attendants; or where the patient desires, and her
condition demands, arrangements are made for her
confinement to take place in an institution. In the
latter event, she is transferred to the ante-natal clinic of
the hospital at which she will be confined. Furthermore,
the Consultant sees on behalf of any local medical
practitioner, any patients referred to him by them.
Gynaecological Cases.
Gynaecological cases are seen at the ante-natal
clinic held on Tuesday mornings at Five Elms. This
arrangement was primarily established for women who
are approaching the menopause; it has been somewhat
loosely described as the "clinic for women over 40.
This term is misleading and may deter some of those who
are in need of advice from attending. The time of
incidence of the menopause varies within wide limits.
The total number of attendances of gynaecological cases
was 86. Although increasing, the numbers do not yet
warrant the establishment of a special clinic for this
purpose.