View report page

83
thereafter weekly until delivery. We would like to see her again
at the 32nd and 36th weeks for obstetrical examination. Would
you kindly record her urine and blood pressure on the back of the
card. If you discover any symptoms which you think indicate
that immediate hospital treatment is necessary will you please
arrange with the house surgeon." It would be to the benefit of
many women if other institutions would agree to the same arrangements,
especially as about 35 per cent. of those attending the clinics
had their confinements in hospitals, the admission of some, of course,
of these being arranged from the clinic. In practice there often
occurs a certain amount of overlapping of ante-natal supervision
as expectant mothers tend to come to the ante-natal clinics even
if other provision is being made for their supervision. As, more
particularly in the later stages, testing of urine and reading of
blood pressure cannot be performed too frequently these attendances
at the clinics cannot be discouraged. Moreover, it is probable that
at a hospital clinic attention will be devoted more particularly to
the medical aspects. A study of the list of causes of maternal
fatalities demonstrates what a small reduction in the mortality rate
can be expected by ante-natal supervision which is purely medical
in its outlook.
Compensation for Midwives.
The same arrangements continued in force by which compensation
is paid to a midwife whose case is lost to her by reason
of the medical officer exercising ante-natal care of the patient,
referring her on medical grounds to hospital for her confinement.
During the year compensation was paid in respect of 12 cases.
Consultant Ante-natal Clinic.
The consultant ante-natal clinic was held fortnightly at the
Broadway Clinic throughout the year. The patients are mostly
referred from the local ante-natal clinics, at least one visit of even
the apparently normal primipara being encouraged. Patients are
also referred direct by the general medical practitioners in the area
and post-natal cases are also seen. During the year 313 women
made 410 attendances. Of this number 38 were referred by local
medical practitioners, 9 were post-natal and 5 gynaecological cases.
It was agreed that the Council pay the cost of X-raying those
ante-natal cases in which the consultant considers this necessary.
General Practitioner Ante-natal Scheme.
The same arrangements by which pregnant women can receive
ante-natal supervision by their own medical attendants was continued
last year. Again only a very limited use was made of the
scheme, 30 patients being seen by 8 practitioners. Of this number,
9 were insured patients.