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
Hackney 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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17
CARE OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
ANTE-NATAL CARE
Attendances at antenatal and postnatal clinics have again shown a
considerable drop and overall fell by approximately 25%.
The number of sessions held has been correspondingly reduced and at three
centres (Lower Clapton Road, Upper Clapton Road and Barton House) sessions
previously held weekly are now held fortnightly. At Shoreditch Health Centre,
where attendances at the fortnightly clinic had shown a similar decline, it was
decided to retain half of the session for antenatal patients and use the
remainder to relieve the hard-pressed I U D session held at this centre.
The general provision of antenatal clinics was under consideration at the end of theyear in the light of the Peel Committee's recommendation that "general practitioner obstetricians should provide all the antenatal and postnatal care at present given by local authority doctors".
| Centre | No. of sessions | Number of women who attended for | Total attendances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ante-natal examination | Post-natal examination | |||
| Barton House | 51 | 119 | 57 | 578 |
| Elsdale Street | 24 | 55 | 82 | 202 |
| John Scott | 25 | 47 | 28 | 131 |
| Lower Clapton | 33 | 30 | 103 | 200 |
| Richmond Road | 49 | 89 | 80 | 367 |
| Shoreditch | 25 | 28 | 30 | 91 |
| Upper Clapton | 48 | 96 | 55 | 260 |
| Total | 255 | 464 | 435 | 1,829 |
Education classes have been held for expectant mothers. The subjects
dealt with include the preparation of women for labour, the care of their health
during pregnancy and also many facets of the care of their young babies such as
sewing and dressmaking. Attendances at these classes dropped a little, consequent
upon the fewer births.
The number of women who attended during 1970 is shown below: -
Total attendances 808
Number of sessions 120
There were no maternal deaths in the borough during the year.
CHILD HEALTH CENTRES
The fall in the birth rate has continued and is reflected in lower attendance
figures for children born in 1970 and 1969 and in total attendances.
Figures for attendances at ChildHealth Centres in 1970 are tabulated overleaf.