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

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Walthamstow 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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84
CLINICS.
Plans have been approved for new clinics in both the Hale End
and Higham Hill areas.
Dr. Sheppard reports as follows:—
"There were no alterations in the routine work of the Welfare
Centres during the past year. Seven sessions are held each week;
five of these are 'doctor's sessions, and two are for weighing only.
"All the centres are well attended. 1,320 new cases were
booked last year, 20,925 attendances were made by babies under
one year of age. and 19,601 by toddlers.
"Thanks are again due to the voluntary workers who have
been so helpful at all the Welfare Clinics.
"The ante-natal examinations in connection with the Municipal
Midwifery Scheme are now in good working order. Each midwife
has a day allocated at regular intervals on which her cases are
seen—urgent cases being seen at any clinic. This arrangement
works smoothly as each midwife can attend the medical examination
of her own patients if she so desires.
"It is satisfying to report that there have been no maternal
deaths among the mothers who attend the Ante-Natal Clinics."
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Services.

The following table summarises the attendances at the Clinics held:—

New Patients:—Ante-NatalPost-Natal
Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital695481
Low Hall Lane Clinic43723
Total1,132504
Total Attendances:—
Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital6,734632
Low Hall Lane Clinic1,07427
Total7,808659

The total number of new patients attending the clinics represent
the following percentages of total notified births (live and
still):—
Ante-Natal, 59.6; Post-Natal, 26.5.
Apart from the patients receiving ante- and post-natal care
under the Municipal Scheme, most of the remaining expectant
and nursing mothers have received ante- and post-natal medical
care, either at a hospital or from a private practitioner.