View report page

Blood grouping/Haemoglobin estimation and Rhesus and Kahn
tests were carried out for all patients attending Ante-Natal Clinics.
All Rhesus negative results were verified at a second laboratory
and repeated at the 20th and 34th weeks of pregnancy. Facilities
were also available at Thorpe Coombe on Sunday mornings (by
courtesy of Miss Rodway, Consultant Obstetrician) for Rhesus
tests to be carried out on the husbands of Rhesus negative women,
and when they were unable to attend at the ordinary weekday
clinic.
All Rhesus negative expectant mothers attending ante-natal
clinics were and are advised to have their confinements in
hospital. Blood pressure estimations were done at every examination,
in order to obtain warning of possible toxaemia.
Midwives in domiciliary practice were advised that in accordance
with the ruling of the Ministry of Health, they could in
extreme urgency, and when unable to obtain immediate medical
aid, summon the Obstetric Flying Squad direct. Finally, they were
reminded that (except in doctors' booked cases) patients with any
serious abnormality should be referred to the Consultant Obstetrician
at Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital.
An analysis of haemoglobin estimations done in the first eight
months of the year showed that out of 131 patients, no fewer than
14, i.e., over 10% were 65% or less, and obviously required treatment
for their anaemia. Instructions were given to midwives that
all patients with this degree of anaemia should be referred to their
family doctors with a request that they should be sent back for a
re-estimation of hæmoglobin after 4/6 weeks. Family doctors undertaking
Maternity Medical Services were advised that blood specimens
could be taken from their patients either at an ante-natal
clinic or a weekly clinic at the Town Hall.