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NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE ACT. 1946.
SECTION 22: CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
ANTE-NATAL AND POST-NATAL CLINICS. As in the previous year 9 ante-natal sessions
were held each week at the municipal centres. No separate sessions were held for post-natal
examinations. Mothers are seen by appointment, and it has been found satisfactory to make
appointments at convenient times during the ante-natal sessions for those mothers who wish
to attend for post-natal examination. In addition to the above, several ante-natal and
post-natal sessions are held weekly at the Plaistow Maternity Hospital District Clinics,
for mothers who have booked the services of a Plaistow domiciliary midwife.
The South West Ham Child Welfare Centre (Avenons Road) has continued to hold one
combined ante-natal and post-natal session per week at the Avenons Road Centre.
Throughout the year the medical examinations at the municipal clinics have been
conducted by the Council's full-time medical officers, who have special experience and
qualifications in obstetrics. From the beginning of September, one of these medical
officers has also been responsible for the ante-natal care for mothers attending the
clinic at Avenons Road.
At these various ante-natal clinics 2,112 expectant mothers have registered and made
a total of 11,631 attendances. 486 mothers attended for examination during the post-natal
period and made a total of 498 attendances.
In 1949 with a total of 96O domiciliary confinements, 216 mothers attended for postnatal
examination, approximately 25%. This rose to 45% in 1950. In 1951, with a total of
677 domiciliary confinements, this figure is 70%.
It is estimated that about 11% of mothers having their confinements at home booked
maternity medical services, and they may be assumed to have been examined by general
practitioners. It would appear, therefore, that there remain 20% who have not availed
themselves of the opportunity for a full medical and gynaecological examination a few
weeks after confinement. The timely detection of minor departures from health and the
advice given at this stage, can prevent much chronic ill-health and discomfort.
While the increase In the number of mothers availing themselves of the service is
very gratifying, it is hoped that it will soon be as universally appreciated and sought as
ante-natal care is today.
INFANT WELFARE CENTRES. The needs of the area were met by 20 infant welfare sessions
per week held at the Municipal Centres, Plaistow Maternity Hospital and at the South West
Ham Child Welfare Centre at Avenons Road.
This number includes the special toddlers' sessions commenced in 1950 and continued
throughout 1951. to which all children were invited on attaining their second and third
birthdays. One such session was held weekly at each of the 5 Municipal Centres, but at
Sllvertown, where the population served by the Centre is small, the appointments were made
during the infant welfare session. In addition, one toddlers' session per month was found
to be sufficient for the area served by the Avenons Road Centre. A total of 2,767 children
attended in response to these invitations. Of these 2,767 children there were 133 whose
general condition was regarded as unsatisfactory, and 54 whose general cleanliness of body
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