London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Penge 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Penge]
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17
Necessitous cases, after due enquiry by the Committee,
are granted free admission to the Home.
The following table gives the number of mothers admitted annually for the last five years :—
| Year | Total cases admitted | Penge Cases | Beckenham Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 347 | 93 | 254 |
| 1935 | 323 | 97 | 226 |
| 1936 | 339 | 98 | 241 |
| 1937 | 319 | 81 | 238 |
| 1938 | 333 | 91 | 242 |
The average period spent in the Home during the year
by each patient was 14.69 days.
Patients can be attended at the Home by their own
Doctors if they wish.
I continue to get many applications for admission into
the Joint Maternity Home too late for acceptance, it being
usually necessary for at least six months' notice to be given
by applicants. It is expected that the new Joint Maternity
Home, containing 38 beds, will be ready for use during 1939.
Institutional Provision for Mothers or Children.
Maternity patients whose home conditions are unsuitable
for a confinement, and those suffering from abnormal antenatal
conditions, are admitted into the Penge and Beckenham
Joint Maternity Home.