London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Mitcham 1941
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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25
General Remarks
The nutrition, clothing and cleanliness of the children continued
to be of a very high standard, and the children attended
the centres very regularly.
Mothers were encouraged to bring their children to the
clinics for advice. Children found to be suffering from any
pathological condition were referred to the family doctor or
hospital, a letter giving particulars of the case being sent with
the patient.
Ante-Natal Centres
One Ante-Natal Clinic is held each week at Mitcham Court
and one clinic each week in connection with Woodlands Maternity
Home.
A clinic for cases booked by the mid wives is held each
Tuesday at Mitcham Court.
The total number of expectant mothers attending the centres
was 725, the total number of attendances being 3,773, the
average attendance 25.4. Of the total number of notified births,
98.3 per cent. of the mothers had attended the ante-natal centres.
The average attendance at each individual centre is shown in the following table:—
| Number of expectant mothers attending | Number of attendances: | Average attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodlands | 245 | 1,745 | 39.8 |
| Mitcham Court | 179 | 630 | 16.5 |
| Midwives Clinic | 301 | 673 | 19.8 |
General Remarks
The clinics were reserved as in previous years for those cases
entering Woodlands, hospital, or for evacuation, or who were to
be confined in their own homes and attended by midwives. Any
patient who was to be attended by her own doctor was advised
to attend him or her for her ante-natal supervision.
Any patient found to be suffering from any serious pathological
condition was referred to her own doctor or to hospital, a
letter giving details of the conditions present accompanying the