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vii. Midwifery and Maternity Services.
There are no whole-time midwives employed by the Council. By the courtesy
of the County Medical Officer of Health I have been able to ascertain that 68 midwives
residing in the Borough gave notice during the year of their intention to
practise.
The services of a Consultant Surgeon are available for cases of obstetric emergencies
and difficulties occurring at home, and for consultation and treatment in
cases of puerperal fever or puerperal pyrexia. Arrangements have also been made
for the home nursing of such cases and for such bacteriological investigations as
are necessary.
Maternity in-patients beds are provided in ; (a) The British Hospital for Mothers
and Babies ; (6) The War Memorial Hospital ; (c) The Eltham Cottage Hospital;
(d) The Military Families Hospital; (e) St. Nicholas Hospital (London County
Council) and (/) a few in midwives' homes.
District midwifery services are maintained by the British Hospital for Mothers
and Babies in the district adjacent to the Hospital and by the Plaistow Maternity
Hospital in North Woolwich.
The Council's Maternity Services are fully described in the Maternity and
Child Welfare Section of the report.
viii. Institutional Provision for Mothers or Children.
There are no special provisions for the institutional treatment of unmarried
mothers, illegitimate infants or homeless children in the Borough, but in February
1934, the Council agreed to make a grant towards the cost of maintenance of
Woolwich cases admitted to Stretton House Home, Grove Park, a home maintained
by the Southwark Diocesan Preventive and Rescue Work Organisation for unmarried
mothers. No grant, however, has yet been made.
ix. Health Visiting.
The arrangements made for the visiting of children between the ages of one
and five years are described in the Maternity and Child Welfare Section.
x. Infant Life Protection.
A note on the administration of this service will be found in the Maternity
and Child Welfare Section of the report.
xi. Supply of Insulin to Persons Suffering from Diabetes.
In May, 1930, the Council obtained the approval of the Ministry of Health
to supply Insulin to diabetic patients, who were necessitous and unable to obtain
it under the National Health Insurance Acts. A continuing approval is obtained
yearly.