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42
There are two Ante-Natal Sessions held weekly, but it is to be regretted
that the attendances at these Centres is rather meagre, and the majority of the
mothers only attend for a few sessions and then towards the end of their
pregnancy leave off. This is, of course, the most important time for AnteNatal
care, and a great deal of propaganda will have to be adopted before the
mothers will fully realise the importance to themselves of regular Ante-Natal
treatment. The Medical Officer in charge of the Ante-Natal Clinic at the
present time has no appeal in difficult cases, except to send them to the local
Hospital. This fact accounts for a good deal of the lack of and irregular
attendances.
It is intended to appoint a Consultant Surgeon in the near future, who
will be attached to one of the London Maternity Hospitals, in order to
facilitate treatment of difficult cases. The Surgeon is to attend fortnightly at
a Special Clinic to which all the abnormal cases found by Practitioners,
Midwives and at the Council's Ante-Natal Clinic can be referred.
Every effort must be made to encourage mothers to attend regularly at the
Ante-Natal Clinic, particularly towards the end of the carrying period. It is
to be hoped that every branch associated with the Maternity Service may be
welded into one common cause for a common effort, in order to reduce Maternal
Mortality. In this direction promptitude in reporting abnormalities during
the puerperium will greatly help because delay gives no chance for Hospital or
Specialist Service. I refer particularly to Midwives in practice and general
Practitioners. The North Middlesex Hospital contains 66 beds for Maternity
purposes and, in my opinion, this number is entirely inadequate to deal with
the large population which this Hospital serves. It is the intention of the
Middlesex County Council to increase the number of beds at some future date,
but it is necessary for the Edmonton Authority to make some provision in the
meantime.
An effort is being made to render the Ante-Natal and Infant Welfare
Services continuous throughout the year, instead of closing down for a period
of time at Christmas, Easter and the Summer. For this reason it is necessary
to employ a locum tenens in lieu of the permanent Officers whilst on holiday.
An effort is also being made to establish a Post-Natal Centre. It will be
accomplished in a very few months.
Two of the Education Nurses are being trained at the National Health
Society, with the permission of the Ministry of Health, to obtain the New
Health Visitors' Certificate, and further to amalgamate the existing Health