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Attendances of expectant mothers at the ante-natal clinics show an
appreciable increase, as will be seen from the following figures:—
Attendances Total
Year for first time. attendances.
1937 607 1,987
1938 638 2,406
A considerable proportion of this increase is due to the exertions of the
Council's Municipal Midwives.
The arrangements for providing dental treatment for expectant and
nursing mothers in the borough were continued during the year.
Milk or other foods were supplied free of charge to all necessitousapplicants.
On account of the adequate facilities which now exist at the West
Middlesex County Hospital, expectant mothers for whom special observation
or treatment is required are referred to that hospital.
Birth Control.
Women for whom pregnancy is inadvisable for medical reasons are
referred to one of the birth control clinics at Hounslow or Richmond for the
necessary advice, etc.
Care of Mothers during Confinement.
The Corporation have not established a Maternity Home, and in view
of the proximity of the West Middlesex County Hospital, no formal
agreement has been made with any hospital for the reception of complicated
or difficult cases. One request has been received during the year for the
services of a consultant in a case of difficult labour.
Medical Practitioners called in by Midwives.
Steps have been taken in accordance with the suggestions issued by the
Minister in Circular 1705 to draw up a list of practitioners who notify themselves
as willing to be called in by midwives in an emergency, and also to
set up an advisory committee for this area consisting of the Medical Officer
of Health (as chairman), two general practitioners, and two obstetric
consultants. We have been successful in obtaining the services of two
practitioners and one consultant, and are hoping to enlist the services of a
second consultant at an early date. The committee will meet from time to
time for. the purpose of scrutinising the list, and for" making such
recommendations to the Authority as appear to them desirable.
Subsequent to Confinement.
Medical practitioners have again been encouraged to send cases of
puerperal pyrexia into hospital at an early stage, and the reluctance on the
part of women to go to hospital for these conditions is disappearing.
Fifteen cases of puerperal pyrexia weve admitted to hospital during the
year, five to the isolation block at Queen Charlotte's Mateunity Hospital
eight to West Middlesex County Hospital, one occurred in a Nursing Home,
and the other was treated at home. All the cases recov ered.
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