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In the past two or three years there have been considerable
changes in the provision of maternity beds in hospitals. As
reported last year, the opening of the new maternity unit at Rush
Green Hospital in 1968 was followed by the opening of general
practitioner unit at the same hospital in 1969. 1970 saw the opening
of the maternity unit at Harold Wood Hospital, and subsequently
a general practitioner unit at that hospital.
The situation with regard to maternity beds has, therefore,
greatly improved, and Havering mothers no loneer have to seek
beds in hospitals some distancefrom the Borough. The percentage
of hospital births again increased, the figure for 1970 being 85.0,
an increase of 6.5 over the previous year. Domiciliary confinements
decreased from 850 in 1969 to 558 in 1970. The number of
patients delivered in hospital and discharged before the 10th day
increased from 2,315 to 3,115, and included in the figure of
3,115 were 1,048 patients discharged to the care of domiciliary
midwives within 48 hours of confinement. In 1969 the number of
patients discharged within 48 hours was 1,516.
The domiciliary midwife is thus attending fewer and fewer
confinements at home, but is now able to undertake deliveries
in the general practitioner units. This enables a mother to have
her confinement under the best conditions with help nearby in
case of emergency, yet attended by the same midwife, who would
have attended her if the confinement had taken place at home.
During the year 18 pupil midwives undertook their thirteen
weeks' district training on attachment to domiciliary midwives.
In addition, during the course of the year 24 students undertaking
obstetric training at Rush Green Hospital spent a day with a
domiciliary midwife, accompanying her on her visits, and also
attending a general practitioner's ante-natal clinic.
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 42.
Unmarried Mothers:
44 unmarried mothers received help from the outdoor worker
of the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association during the
year, and of these 19 were admitted to Mother and Baby Homes.
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