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57
ANTE-NATAL CLINICS.
In November, 1919, the Ministry of Health sanctioned the
use of certain rooms in the Maternity Home for the purpose of an
Ante-Natal Clinic. Owing to shortage of medical staff it was not
found possible to commence this scheme, but the appointment by
the Council in November, 1919, of a Lady Assistant Medical
Officer of Health will enable this most important work to be proceeded
with. Its purpose is:—
(1) To discover those conditions which make a confinement
difficult or dangerous to the mother so that as far as
possible they can be dealt with beforehand.
(2) To discover any conditions which would prejudice the
birth of a living healthy child and as far as possible to
rectify them.
A scheme of this character in such a district as Ilford is not
easy to carry on to large proportions, but I feel convinced that
if the susceptibilities of the mothers are considered it will be soon
found to exercise a most useful function and will reduce Infantile
Mortality below the present rate.
MATERNITY HOME.
This was opened at 130-2, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, on July
20th, 1918, the two houses concerned having been thoroughly redecorated
and adapted as far as possible for the purpose. The
Home can accommodate nine mothers with their babies. The
staff at first consisted of a Matron and two Staff Nurses. Later
a Pupil midwife was appointed, and in the latter part of 1919 a
second trained nurse was accepted as Pupil Midwife for training.
The former lady obtained her C.M.B. certificate during the year.
The staff is now adequate for ordinary events, but when there is a
patient seriously ill, requiring undivided attention, it has been
necessary to employ the services of a temporary nurse, as also at
the times of the annual vacations of the nursing staff.