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11. (a) Number of infant deaths—
(i) Stillborn—32.
(ii) Within 10 days of birth—9.
(b) Cause of death in each case, and results of post-mortem
examination (if obtainable)—See Clinical Report.
The stillbirth rate was 51.2 per 1.000 live births, and the
neo-natal mortality within 10 days of birth was 14.4 per 1,000 live
births.
(b) Occupation of Beds.—The average daily occupation of beds
was as follows:—
January 28.4 July 30.5
February 23.9 August 26.5
March 29.8 September 24.5
April 29.8 October 27.4
May 34.5 November 24.0
June 28.2 December 32.8
The average for the whole year was equal to 72.8 per cent. beds
occupied (based on 39 beds).
(c) Research.—Dr. Helen Rodway is co-operating with the
investigation initiated by the People's League of Health into
deficiency in diet in cases of maternal mortality and morbidity.
(d) Emergency Unit.—The services of the emergency unit were
not required during the year.
(e) Gas and Air Analgesia.—The Maternity Hospital is approved
by the Central Midwives Board for the purpose of giving special
instruction in gas and air analgesia, and 9 candidates were examined
and 8 passed.
(/) Staff.—Your Committee instructed that a 48-hour week was
to be operated in regard to all staff.
(g) Training of Pupil Midwives.—The Hospital was approved
by the Central Midwives Board during the year, jointly with the
Middlesex Hospital, for the training of pupil midwives in both
Part I and Part II of the training under the new rules.
During 1938, 15 pupils from Thorpe Coombe obtained the
Certificate of the Central Midwives Board.
The following very full clinical report has been compiled by
Dr. Helen Rodway, M.R.C.O.G., Resident Obstetrician.