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27
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
These services are provided under Part III of the National Health
Service Act of 1946.
Section 22 — Care of Mothers and Young Children
In spite of the drop in the number of domiciliary confinements,
facilities for ante-natal and post-natal clinics were still required and were
provided at fourteen centres throughout the Borough. The planned early
discharge of maternity patients permitting delivery in hospital and discharge
to own home after 48 hours is still proving popular with mothers.
The tendency for more and more confinements to take place in hospital
is increasing in pace and it may not be long before confinement in the
home disappears. However, whether confinement takes place in the home
or the hospital, good ante-natal care is of the utmost importance and as
long as there is a demand these services will continue to be provided at
local centres.
Preparation for confinement in the form of Mothercraft and Relaxation
classes are provided in all clinics. Each course consists of 8-9 classes
where expectant mothers are prepared for their confinement and also the
new duties of the young mother following the birth of the baby.