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The Gynaecological cases seen have been varied and many
cases have been sent to Dr. Kosser and Dr. Hose at Redhill for
operation. One very early case of carcinoma of the cervix was
detected and several other suspects proved negative.
A considerable number of patients complaining of sterility
have been investigated and many have become pregnant.
I am certain that these Clinics are performing a most useful
part of the Health Services of the Borough. In the future they
may well need considerable expansion.
6. The following is Dr. Fisher's report on the Birth Control
Clinics:—
During the year 1947, 145 new patients attended the Birth
Control Clinics, 11 sessions being held at Stag Lane and 12 at
Perrin Road. There were 404 re-attendances. 8 applicants were
refused advice as having no medical grounds for family limitation.
The greater proportion of patients sought advice because they
had a baby of less than a year old and were anxious to space
their pregnancies.
Among the pathological conditions calling for prevention of
further pregnancy for a time were 3 cases of heart disease; 2 of
persistent hypertension; 1 suspected tuberculosis; 6 recent
toxaemia of pregnancy; 9 patients had recently had a surgical
operation or were awaiting operation; 9 were suffering from
anxiety neurosis or other nervous disturbance.
No failures of the methods advised were reported during the
year.
7. As in previous recent years the number of maternity
hospital beds has been totally inadequate to meet the demand.
It is still true, however, that the bed required for strictly medical
reasons has always somehow been found, but the scarcity of
hospital beds has meant the conduction of confinements in home
circumstances well 'below the standard which had been attained
in the pre-war years, and the hospitals themselves have had the
greatest strain put upon their accommodation. In endeavour to
ease the situation the Middlesex County Council have taken over
the Acton and Wembley Isolation Hospital for adaptation as a
Maternity Annexe, but progress in this plan has been slow.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Committee has been much
interested in the endeavour at Wembley Hospital to provide a
Maternity Unit. A proposed lay-out has now been generally
approved by the Ministry of Health of a simple brick building
for 20 beds. This scheme is of a temporary nature, the Wembley
Hospital Authority having had in mind for some time the
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