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65
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 two 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 322 women
made 416 attendances. Of this number 68 were referred by local
medical practitioners, five were post-natal and five gynaecological
cases.
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, 41 patients being seen by eight practitioners. Of this
number, nine were insured patients.
Only six women attended for post-natal examination.
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR CONFINEMENTS.
At Home.
1,433 confinements took place in the patients' own homes. Of
these 766 were attended by midwives acting in their capacity as
midwives, and 445 by local midwives who had given notice of
their intention to practice, acting as maternity nurses.
In 559 cases the Council paid or contributed to the fees of
the midwife, and in 82 cases a home help was provided.
Consultant services:—During the year a consultant was
summoned to 13 cases. Two were ante-natal cases, in one of which
induction was advised, the other being a case of hyperthyroidism.
Two patients were suffering from puerperal pyrexia, one due to
pulmonary infarct, the other to a mild infection of the cellular
tissue of the pelvis. The remaining patients to which the consultants
were summoned were in labour:—(1) long labour—patient
admitted to hospital for Cæsarean section; (2) uterine inertia—
patient removed to hospital where normal delivery took place;
(3) retained placenta—placenta removed and intravenous gum
saline given; (4) persistent occipito-posterior presentation and
uterine inertia—double episiotomy performed, followed by normal
delivery; (5) placenta praevia—patient removed to hospital where,
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