London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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East Ham 1930

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]

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The visits made by the Health Visitors during 1930 were 18,804, as compared with 16,329 in the previous year.

Visits to infants under one year of age7,087
Visits to children over one year of age10,873
Visits to Tonsils and Adenoid Cases157
Visits to Ante-natal cases, first visits286
Visits to Ante-natal cases, re-visits84
Visits to Foster Mothers97
Special visits, not included in above group220
18,804

Ante-natal Work.
An Ante-natal Clinic is held at:—
The Central Clinic, High Street School, on
Friday, at 10 a.m.
Ante-natal care of the expectant mother is of the utmost
importance in order to secure good health both for the mother
and infant. Systematic supervision during pregnancy will minimise
many dangers and prevent avoidable difficulties at the
confinement.
During the year efforts have been made to secure a closer
co-operation of the midwives with the Ante-natal Clinic with considerable
success. I would urge the necessity of midwives taking
advantage of the clinic, and bringing their cases for medical
examination and advice, for though many midwives carry out
ante-natal supervision with satisfactory results, conditions may be
present which can only be detected by medical examination.
Health Visitors follow up expectant mothers in their homes
to advise regarding arrangements for confinement and general
hygiene of the mother. The following-up of cases also ensures
regular attendance at the clinic. During 1930, 370 visits were
paid to expectant mothers.
During the year the following attendances were recorded:—
First visits 225
Subsequent visits 322
Total visits 547
Maternity Accommodation.
Under the provisions of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act,
1918, empowering Local Authorities to make arrangements for the