Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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Maternity Hospital Treatment
The cases referred to hospital during the year were as follows:—
For obstetric and medical reasons. | For unsuitable home conditions. | Total. | |
---|---|---|---|
Carshalton (War Memorial) Hospital | 2 | 1 | 3 |
St. Helier County Hospital | 33 | 15 | 48 |
Other County Hospitals | 6 | 17 | 23 |
41 | 33 | 74 |
It should be observed that whilst only 74 were referred to hospital
from the ante-natal clinics no fewer than 576 Carshalton babies were
born in hospitals and nursing homes.
During the latter half of the year 23 expectant mothers were
evacuated under the Government scheme for confinement in
emergency maternity homes in the north of England.
For details of cases of puerperal pyrexia admitted to hospital,
see Section F dealing with infectious diseases.
Unmarried Mothers and Illegitimate Children—Circular 2866.
The arrangements for the care of unmarried mothers are made
in co-operation with the Sutton and District Girls' Aid Association.
The scope of this service includes the following:—
Admission to the local or an affiliated shelter home before and
after the confinement which is conducted in a convenient
hospital.
Advice on such matters as affiliation and marriage,
negotiation with the putative father.
Clinic supervision, obtaining baby clothes, help with adoption
and many other relevant matters.
The balance of the cost of maintenance in shelter homes, which
cannot be met from other sources, is invariably defrayed by the
Council. Some 20 unmarried mothers were assisted in these ways
during 1944.
In their consideration of Circular 2866, the Council concurred in
the view of the Minister of Health that the Welfare Authority should
co-operate with and reinforce the work of existing: voluntary moral
welfare associations. In view of the long and effective experience
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