View report page

Maternity Hospital Treatment. In 1943 the Nelson
Hospital admitted 248 Maternity cases from the Urban district.
Complicated cases which were prior to the war accommodated
at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London, by arrangement with
that hospital, can now be treated in this disrict. The opening
of the Maternity Block at St. Ilelier Hospital has improved
the obstetric failities in the district very considerably. The
following table shows the use of the maternity accommodation
in the district in the year under review.
Nelson Hospital 236
Kingston County Hospital 43
St. Helier Hospital 325
Other hospitals 187
791
Emergency Maternity Unit. There was no call made on
this unit during the year under review.
Consultant Service. A specialist's opinion may be had in
cases of obstructed labour, emergencies in pregnancy, or
puerperal pyrexia.
Home Helps. Domestic assistance may be provided for
expectant and nursing mothers during confinement or
whilst away from home undergoing treatment. The usual
period for which the help is supplied during confinement
is fourteen days. The number of helps provided in 1943
was 8. Arrangements were being made at the end of the year
to reorganise the Home Help Scheme. Experience had shown
two major difficulties, first it was becoming impossible to
employ women except for the equivalent of part-time employment,
second the cost, at the revised rate of l/2d. per hour,
would have been excessive working according to the old
arrangement. The scheme in operation at the time of writing
this report is working very well. Our dental attendant has
taken over the additional duties of Home Help organiser, and
on the receipt of an application for a Home Help, interviews
the mother and arranges the periods of duty for which a Home
Help is required. The organiser then arranges for one of
those on the rota to undertake the case. This personal contact
between the two parties thus concerned shows signs of being
a great advantage.
Sterilised Maternity Outfits.
Sterile outfits in sealed containers for use at confinements
may be had from the Welfare Centres or from the Council's
midwife. They are supplied at cost price, and in necessitous
30