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97
Institutional Midwifery. (1) British Hospital for Mothers and Babies. There
are 42 beds in this Hospital, and I am informed by Miss Gregory, the Secretary
of the Hospital, that 698 babies were born during the year. At the ante-natal
clinics in connection with this Hospital, 5,583 attendances were made, and at the
infant clinics 2,340 attendances. In addition there were 223 extern cases. The
number of mothers admitted under the Council's scheme was 140, the nett cost
to the Council being £949 17s. Od.
(2) War Memorial Hospital. There are 7 maternity beds in this Hospital
and I am indebted to Mr. R. S. G. Hutchings, the Secretary, for the following
information regarding the admissions to the maternity unit during the year. The
number of children born in the Hospital was 155, and 28 mothers were admitted
for ante-natal or emergency treatment. The number of attendances made at the
ante-natal clinic was 1,000. The number of cases admitted under the Council's
scheme was 62, the nett cost to the Council being £529 18s. Od.
Ante-Natal Treatment and Emergencies. The number of cases admitted
for ante-natal or emergency treatment under the Council's scheme was 10. The
reasons for admission were: Varicose veins, 3; haemorrhage, 1; albuminuria, 3;
cardiac symptoms, 2; and pneumonia, 1.
Convalescent Home Treatment for Children under 5 years of Age.
The necessary arrangements for this treatment are made by the Woolwich Invalid
Children's Aid Association, to whom the Council give grants-in-aid for this purpose.
During the year such grants were made in respect to 43 children, the total cost of
whose convalescent treatment amounted to £397 10s. Od. The Council's grants
amounted to £160 12s. Od. The children were sent away for periods varying from
3 to 36 weeks, and payment was only made in respect of children sent to homes
approved by the Medical Officer of Health.
Supply of Milk, etc., to Necessitous Mothers and Children. Under
the provisions of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, milk, etc., is provided
by the Council for necessitous expectant and nursing mothers, and children
under the age of five years, under the conditions laid down in Circular 185, issued
by the Ministry of Health in March, 1921. The approximate cost of these services
during the year was as follows:—
Dried milk, £1,448 5s. 8d. Fresh milk, £1. Dinners, nil.
Collective Teaching of Expectant and Nursing Mothers.— In April, the
special class in mothercraft which had been held every Wednesday afternoon at
the Plumstead Welfare Centre was transferred to the Old Town Hall, Woolwich,
on every Tuesday afternoon. The object of this class is to demonstrate to
mothers suitable articles of attire for baby and to provide facilities for making them
under expert supervision. The total attendances at the class during the year was
461.