[Report 1940] / Medical Officer of Health, Worcestershire / County of Worcester County Council.

  • Worcestershire (England). County Council.
Date:
1940
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1940] / Medical Officer of Health, Worcestershire / County of Worcester County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/44 (page 7)
    7 Maternity Hospitals. In addition to the Lucy Baldwin Hospital, Stourport-on-Severn and the Mary Stevens Home, Stourbridge, both of which units dealt with a number of additional complicated cases, it became necessary to make some further provision' for Evacuees and visitors who not infrequently obtained billets or accommodation in the remote and rural parts of the County. The Grcenhill Hostel at Kidderminster, administered by the Diocesan Moral Welfare Association, is ordinarily used for the accommodation of expectant unmarried mothers whose stay is usually for several months—a new nursery had recently been completed for the babies. This new accommodation was set aside as an emergency maternity unit, a new labour room being provided in the Matron’s Office and the nursery for unmarried mothers’ babies being provided in the dormitory for Nursery Nurses in training. As in other instances billeting of nurses outside became so difficult that the garden hut was improved and cubicled as accommodation for the Nursery Nurses. A number of mothers from Smethwick, Birmingham, London and other areas were admitted to this unit. The Evesham Public Assistance Maternity Unit. This Unit was enlarged to provide for both waiting and lying-in accommodation for pregnant mothers. A number of Birmingham mothers were admitted under the “ trickle scheme. Under this arrangement the mothers are evacuated in the last months of pregnancy. The parties arrive weekly and stay until the lying-in period is completed. Most of the mothers and babies then return to their homes but a few, with their babies, were able to obtain admission to one of Mrs. Priestley’s Homes in Herefordshire. Lickhill Manor, Stourport-on-Severn. This residence, the home of Mr. R. B. Worth, Chairman of the Public Health and Housing Committee, was adapted as an additional Maternity Home. This unit is administered in conjunction with the Lucy Baldwin Hospital. The adaption, although somewhat complicated, has resulted in a most suitable small Hospital ; Calor gas was installed for the extra cooking facilities required and is also used for steriliza¬ tion purposes. Additional beds were also provided by the City and County Nursing Association at the Tything, Worcester. This accommo¬ dation is used by both the City and County cases. Two Hostels, one at Rushwick, near Worcester and the other at a Convalescent Home at Bewdley were opened for Birmingham Evacuee expectant mothers and others whose billets were in inaccessible spots in the County. I'have received a great deal of help from many persons. The Broadheath Ambulance has never failed in daylight or blackout to respond to the calls from Rushwick ; as many as three journeys in a single night were made on one occasion. The Bewdley Emergency Ambulance Service has also rendered valuable service to the Bewdley Hostel. The Matrons and Nursing Staffs of all these homes have worked very hard ; shortage of domestic and nursing staff has been a nightmare. To keep the units going has resulted in many of their hours of leisure and off duty time being sacrificed. This expansion of the Maternity Service has made heavy demands upon Dr. MacArtlnir and his partner Dr. Mackie and the County is fortunate in having the continued help of Professor Sir Beckwith Whitehouse, Mr. Danby and Mr. J. M. Connell.