View report page

15
3. MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE,
(i.) Midwifery and Maternity Services.
(a) Midwives.—There are six Midwives practising
within the area.
(b) Maternal Deaths.—Maternal Deaths are investigated
by the Medical Officer of Health. During
the year one death was investigated.
(ii.) Institutional Provision for Mothers and Children.
Complete arrangements for maternity in-patient
treatment are now available. Cases of expected normal
delivery receive in-patient treatment at the Orsett
Public Assistance Institution at a cost to the Council
of approximately £2 2s. Od. per week, and ambulance
charges. Cases of expected difficult delivery or
obstructed labour are admitted by arrangement to the
Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford, the cost to the Council
being £3 3s. Od. per week, plus ambulance charges.
Cases of Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia
are admitted to the special Puerperal Fever Wards of
the Essex County Council's Institution at Chelmsford,
at a cost to the Authority of 10/- per day, and ambulance
charges. In every case the Council recover from the
parents those amounts which their financial circumstances
enable them to pay.
Sterilised Maternity Outfits and Home Helps for
patients have been supplied through the Welfare Centres
for some time.
(iii.) Health Visiting.
Visits paid by the Health Visitors during the year
are as follows:
To expectant mothers 137
To infants under 1 year of age :
(a) First visits 428
(b) Re-visits 1491
To infants, 1-5 years 1439