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At the time of writing this report they have again opened
a home, the Haygarth Witts Memorial Home in Wimbledon,
and they are preparing plans for adaptation for submission to
the Wimbledon Borough Council for registration under the
Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927.
Meantime they are taking cases both from Wimbledon and
Merton and Morden, who have agreed to pay for these cases
on a cost basis.
They have not resumed the lying-in accommodation nor do
they intend to do so.
Sterilised Maternity Outfits. Sterile outfits 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 cases, at half price or free of cost according to
means. During the year 56 outfits were supplied at cost price.
Dental Scheme. There has been a further expansion in
the dental work, and there would seem to be opportunities in
various directions for further expansion, but this would immediately
necessitate additional sessions, and these in their turn
present us with our old problem, lack of accommodation. As I
have said before earlier dental inspection of expectant mothers
is essential. The futility of conservation work when threequarters
of pregnancy has already passed should be obvious,
and it is general for the first medical inspection in pregnancy
to be delayed till five months. It is general for the mother
only then to be referred for dental treatment so that before
anything can be done she has generally reached six months. It
seems essential if conservation work is of any value to secure
it earlier than this and cards for dental inspection should be
given by whoever first learns of the pregnancy, whether midwife,
health visitor or even food officer.
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