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STAFF
In addition to my duties as Medical Officer of Health for the
Borough, I am in administrative control of Part III Services under
the National Health Service Act, 1946, sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 28 and 29. There are normally two medical officers of the Essex
County Council working in the Borough and undertaking duties
appertaining to Maternity and Child Welfare as well as three
practitioners who regularly attend Child Welfare Clinics being
employed on a sessional basis.
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN (Section 22)
There were 496 attendances at the ante-natal clinic at 118, Hermon
Hill.
At this clinic, sessions are held weekly, midwives examining their
own patients and working in close co-operation with the general
practitioners concerned.
One general practitioner conducts an ante-natal clinic for his own
patients at his surgery, with a Local Authority midwife in attendance.
The scheme works well and achieves a maximum of co-operation
between doctor and midwife.
All expectant mothers have a blood specimen taken for
examination and all with a rhesus negative result are advised to
have their confinement in hospital.
Mothers booked for hospital confinement attend the ante-natal
clinic for routine intermediate examinations. In the event of any
abnormality becoming manifest, the case is referred at once to the
Obstetrician at the Hospital.
About 65 per cent of the births in the Borough take place in
hospital. Discharges are notified promptly and are followed up by
either the Midwife or Health Visitor depending on the day following
delivery on which the discharge takes place.
A very good liaison is maintained with the Maternity Department
of Wanstead Hospital.
Relaxation Exercises
Belaxation classes have been continued at the Hermon Hill
ante-natal clinic, and are held twice weekly. Normally six to eight
women constitute a class. The classes also form a means whereby
the Health Visitor can give short talks on preparation for the
confinement and on various aspects of personal hygiene for mother
and infant. By keeping classes small opportunity is afforded for
individual queries and difficulties to receive attention.
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