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76
TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE MATERNITY
AND CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present herewith a report of the work performed for
your Committee during 1931.
A considerable expansion of the service occurred during the
year—thus the Staff was increased by the appointment of an additional
Health Visitor; new centres were opened at Higham Hill
and Highams Park and the services of a Consultant Obstetrician
were made available.
Home visits increased by 1,113 under the Municipal Scheme,
and 835 under the Voluntary Scheme, while attendance at Clinics
increased by 3,517 and 1,531 respectively, as compared with 1930.
Your Council became the Local Supervising Authority under
the Midwives Acts during the year. The work involved has meant a
very considerable increase in the work of the Department.
The Infant Mortality figure is, unfortunately, not so favourable
as that of last year which was inexplicably low.
A series of cases of Pemphigus Neonatorum occurred towards the
end of the year.
Notifications of Puerperal Fever and Pyrexia were much increased—probably
due to better notification rather than to increased
incidence. On the other hand, only one maternal death was certified
as being due to Puerperal Sepsis as against 6 in 1930.
Grateful acknowledgment must be made of the co-operation of
your Committee, of the help given by the voluntary helpers at the
Clinics, and to the good work of the Staff.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
A. T. W. POWELL,
Medical Officer of Health, etc.