View report page

Ante-natal care is a most important factor in the
reduction of maternal mortality. There are now two Antenatal
Clinics immediately available for expectant mothers in
Wimbledon. One is the Ante-natal Clinic of the Corporation
which is held every fortnight at Wandle Park House. This
is conducted by the lady Assistant Medical Officer. The other
Ante-natal Clinic is run in conjunction with the new
maternity block at the Nelson Hospital.
Hospital Treatment for Complicated Obstetric Cases.—In
July, 1932, the Council made arrangements with the Maternity
Department of the Nelson Hospital for the treatment of
complicated obstetric cases occurring in the Borough. The
services of a consultant, obstetrician are available together
with facilities for any operative treatment that may be found
necessary.
Patients admitted to hospital under this scheme are
required to contribute towards the cost of their maintenance,
whilst undergoing treatment, in accordance with a scale
which has been adopted by the Council.
The medical practitioners in the area were notified of
these facilities when the scheme came into operation. During
1933 three patients received treatment under this scheme for
the following conditions :—
(i) Breech presentation with contraction of pelvis—
Cesarean section performed.
(ii) Ante-partum haemorrhage due to placenta praevia.
(iii) Ante-partum haemorrhage due to placenta praevia.
These facilities should ultimately prove to be an important
factor in reducing the number of maternal deaths
occurring among Wimbledon mothers. Although they have
32