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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.
Dr. E. L. Ewan, who had been employed by the County Council
as a School Medical Officer in the Borough of Wanstead and Woodford
for over 29 years, retired in July.
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN (Section 22)
There were 564 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 prompty 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
Owing to the popularity of these classes it was found necessary
during the year to increase the sessions from two to three times
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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