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will increase in the future.
The new wing at Harold Wood Hospital was nearing
completion at the end of the year and when opened will provide
additional accommodation for maternity patients and will also
include a General Practitioner Unit. The time appears to be
approaching when the duties of the domiciliary midwife will
consist principally of attending confinements in general practitioner
units and in caring for mothers and babies discharged within 48
hours from maternity hospitals, and the former role of the
domiciliary midwife, who used to be employed exclusively in
attending home confinements, and caring for the mother and baby
for the lying-in period, will be the exception rather than the rule.
During the year, sixteen pupil midwives undertook their
thirteen weeks district training on attachment to domiciliary
midwives. Eleven were successful in their final examinations.
Dental Treatment for Expectant and Nursing Mothers
Details of the service provided for expectant and nursing
mothers are included in the report of the Chief Dental Officer
on Page 47,
Unmarried Mothers
The arrangement with the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral
Welfare Association to provide (pare for unmarried mothers during
the antenatal period and to arrange subsequent admission to
Mother and Baby Homes, where necessary, continued as before.
The total number of unmarried mothers from Havering who received
help from the Outdoor Worker of the Association during the year
was 54, compared with 70 in 1968. This figure represents
approximately a quarter of all illegitimate births during the year.
36 of the 54 mothers were admitted to Mother and Baby Homes.
Family Planning
Family planning services, staffed by local authority doctors
and nurses, were held at Hornchurch, Harold Wood, Upminster
and Cranham clinics, and in addition a domiciliary family planning
service was provided by Dr. J. Allardice in special cases
following referral by health visitors or social workers. The
service is free if provided on medical grounds.
The Council also supports the Family Planning Association
Clinic at 49 Eastern Road, Romford, by providing and maintaining
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