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MIDWIFERY SERVICE
As the national birth rate continues to fall and the trend for hospital delivery continues it is
inevitable that there is a further reduction in domiciliary deliveries.
There were 845 mothers booked for home confinement, 605 of whom were successfully delivered
at home. The remainder either removed out of the area, transferred to a hospital booking during
pregnancy, or transferred to hospital during labour because of varying complications. 80 mothers
originally booked for home were discharged after delivery to the care of the district midwife.
The emergency obstetric squad was called to give assistance on five occasions, each mother
being successfully treated with blood transfusions intravenously.

Of the 442 investigated 249 were referred to hospital, 180 were booked for home confinement
and 13 moved out of the area.

There was also an increase in the number of unplanned discharges, 96 of whom were nursed.
These mothers were discharged because of bed shortage in hospital. A further 79 patients discharged
themselves and were attended by midwives at home.
Student Midwife Training
58 student midwives were in training during the year: 23 from the Whittington Hospital, 18 from
the North Middlesex Hospital and 17 from Alexandra Maternity Home. 46 students completed their
training and 12 are still in training.
Two students re-sat the examination from 1967 and were successful; 43 students from the current
year passed their final examination, making a failure rate of 6.5%, which compares favourably with
the national rate of 14.0%. A more comprehensive social work programme was incorporated during
the latter part of the year conforming to the Central Midwives Board's request.
Ostetric Nurse Training
Local Authority midwives arranged domiciliary day visits for obstetric students from the City of
London Maternity Hospital and the Whittington Hospital; 44 visits were arranged during 1968.
Staffing
The establishment for midwives is 23 but at the present time only 15 are employed.
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