View report page

68
and it is difficult to find time to deal with these complaints at other clinics, so from
that point of view the establishment of a separate Post-natal Clinic would be extremely
useful. It is proposed to follow up those cases at which there is any suspicion that
the confinement has not been absolutely normal, and it is hoped that this will lead
to an early detection of abnormalities. Of the total number of cases investigated,
only 16 per cent. actually had a post-natal examination.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL TO INSTITUTIONS.
An agreement exists between the Borough Council and the City of London
Maternity Hospital by which, in consideration of the annual payment of £200 paid
by the Borough Council, the City of London Hospital undertakes to render various
services, namely :—
(i.) To provide a consultative Maternity Centre, and the local Maternitv
Centre for the Borough, and to admit for diagnosis, advice, or treatment
by members of the Honorary Staff in Out-patients or Wards, expectant
or nursing mothers who may be referred by the Medical Officer of Health
or the Medical Officer of any local Maternity Centre provided or recognised
by the Borough Council.
(ii.) To furnish such report as to diagnosis or treatment as may be necessary
to the Medical Officer referring the case to the Centre.
(iii.) To give statistical and other information annually.
(iv.) The Hospital Authority will receive as in-patients lying-in cases in
which the Medical Officer of Health considers their admission to hospital
is desirable by reason of domestic conditions (to the extent only of the
accommodation which may from time to time be reasonably available).
It is probable that the greater part of the hospital's work in Shoreditch would
be done in the absence of any agreement, but at the same time some definite provision
for lying-in beds and consultative facilities by the Local Authority is essential,
and the alternatives are, an agreement with the local Poor Law Hospital or a Municipal
Maternity Home.
Of the institutional confinement work, by far the most for any one institution
is done by St. Leonard's Hospital (Shoreditch Board of Guardians), the distribution
of 249 cases being : —
St. Leonard's Hospital139 London Hospital 3
City of London Hospital 57 East End Mother's Home 2
St. Bartholomew's Hospital 24 Bethnal Green Hospital 1
Salvation Army, Clapton 10 St Peter's Hospital 1
Royal Free Hospital 7 Mildmay Home 1
Jewish Home, Underwood Street 4
Unfortunately, there is no ante-natal department in connection with St. Leonard's
Hospital, and, of the patients admitted there, only 51 per cent. have had ante-natal
care of any kind. The majority of those who have been examined have attended
the Model Welfare Centre Ante-natal Clinic, but there is at present no effective
co-operation between the clinic and the hospital. Under the new Local Government
Act it is to be hoped that a scheme may be evolved which will allow this hospital
to take a big share in the care of the mothers of the Borough, and which will enable
it to act in close co-operation with the Borough Council.