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sent an increase of 23.7% over 1945. It will be noted that 176 of these were
emergency cases, most of which required operative or other specialised treatment.
The Domiciliary Midwifery Service has similarly been heavily taxed,
dealing with 1,202 cases as compared with 699 in 1945. It has been increasingly
difficult to obtain midwives for institutional or domiciliary midwifery,
and in the latter regard the position has been aggravated by the great difficulty
in obtaining suitable housing accommodation for district midwives.
It would appear that, in the future flats or houses within their area of practice
should be provided to attract applicants, and indeed recruits to the service
generally.
Again I would pay tribute to the work of all those engaged in the local
midwifery service who have so willingly responded to the greatly increased
demands for their services.
The arrangements for the transfer of patients to Emergency Maternity
Homes in the Provinces continued during the year. At times, however, the
desired number of patients could not be accepted and for these special "last
minute" arrangements had to be made. Towards the end of the year the
London Emergency Bed Service kindly proferred welcome assistance for
eases of this type. Many patients have, through this agency, been accommodated
in various London Maternity Units.
In May, 1946, the Minister of Health approved the Council's proposal to
establish a Post-Natal Home at Wilnett Lodge, Chadwell Heath. On about
the seventh day of confinement, mothers are transferred to this institution,
thereby freeing beds at the Maternity Home. The official opening ceremony
will be performed by His Worship the Mayor in the near future.
During the year representations were made to the Ministry of Health
regarding the difficulties of securing adequate local institutional accommodation
for maternity cases. Arising thereout it was ascertained that the
Minister would be prepared to consider proposals for the erection of an
additional ward block of a "utility" type of construction. Plans for this
and the necessary associated alterations have been prepared. Subject to
their approval by the Minister and the obtaining of the necessary licenoes,
materials and labour, it is hoped that the scheme will proceed.
Corresponding with the increased work of the Maternity Home, attendances
at both ante-natal clinics were greatly augmented. Post-Natal
Clinic facilities were extended and appointments offered to all patients
confined in the Maternity Home and to other mothers on request.
The work of the Infant Welfare Centres has expanded by the re-opening
or establishment of six additional weekly sessions. Altogether 46,620
attendances were made as compared with 37,710 in 1945. The number of
children on the Welfare Centre rolls increased from 3,246 in 1945 to 4,049 in
1946. Home visiting by Health Visitors has had to be curtailed owing to
shortage of staff. It has been increasingly difficult to fill vacancies, and so
far it has not been possible to reach the increased establishment agreed by the
Council. This experience, however, is general, as there is an acute shortage
of Health Visitors throughout the country. As in the case of Domiciliary
Midwives, consideration to the provision of living accommodation will
have to be given when the time is opportune.
With the appointment of a whole-time Organiser the scheme for the
supply of Home and Domestic Helps has steadily progressed, and is fulfilling
a long-felt and urgent need.
To the Specialist Clinics has been added a Paediatric Clinic in charge
of a consultant paediatrician to whom may be referred children in whose
cases a specialist opinion is required. An additional clinic to which cases
of cardiac disease in pregnancy can be referred has recently been established
under the direction of the Council's Rheumatism and Cardiac Consultant.