View report page

26
A Nurse from this Hospital attends each Ante-Natal Clinic
in the Borough, so that all necessary arrangements can be made
with those mothers wishing to engage their services, and also
so that they may obtain reports on the health and special
conditions of the prospective patients.
During 1938 these Nurses attended 143 cases.
The service has five auto-bicycles and two small cars
which enable the Nurses to reach their patients quickly at any
time of the day or night. It also enables them to carry a Gas
and Air Analgesic Apparatus to each case.
The Sister-in-charge reports:—
"Most of the patients have the Gas and Air and appreciate
it immensely. Each patient is examined previously within the
month and a certificate is given to us to say that she is ' fit for
Gas and Air.' We are all agreed that it tends to avoid perinial
lacerations and so far we have found no disadvantage whatever.
The Midwives here hold their certificate for administering the
Gas and Air Analgesia."
With regard to the 143 cases mentioned above, all were
quite normal and uneventful except the following:—
2 Forceps deliveries (both satisfactory).
1 Slight post-partum haemorrhage.
1 Venous thrombosis (sent to Isolation Block, Queen
Charlotte's Hospital).
6 Perinial Lacerations.
1 Stillborn.
1 Macerated foetus.
1 Twin.
1 Baby died from Congenital Malformation of Heart.
In all cases the mothers made satisfactory recoveries.
Health Visitors.
Six Nurses are engaged in this work, but as each Nurse
is also half-time School Nurse, the equivalent of whole-time
services devoted by the whole staff to Health Visiting (including
attendances at Infant Welfare Centres) is three.