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X-ray facilities are now available at the Physico-therapeutic
Clinic, while the same facilities can be transported to the patients'
own homes. This is a most useful service which deserves even more
recognition than it is at present receiving.
As an instance of the progressive character of the Nursing
Association, it might also be mentioned that maternity and midwifery
cases are now accepted, a branch of the Association's work
which may be very greatly extended within the near future.
It is my privilege, as Medical Officer of Health of Southgate, to
act as a member of the Executive Committee of the Southgate
Queen's Nursing Association. I am thus able to keep in close touch
with the Association's activities and can vouch personally for the
fact that the Association is now playing a well-nigh indispensable
part in the social services of the Borough.
(b) As indicated in the Report for 1935, home nursing of
certain infectious diseases is now being undertaken by the Southgate
Queen's Nursing Association at the request of the Borough
Council, where such home nursing is considered necessary or
desirable.
Midwives.—There are 9 midwives practising in the area.
These come under the supervision of the County Authority, and
none is employed or subsidised by the local Council.
The passing of the Midwives Act, 1936, necessitated considerable
discussion as to the position which Southgate would adopt
under the national scheme. After due deliberation, the Council
decided to apply for supervisory powers, this being done in
September, 1936. In December, the Ministry of Health informed
the Council that the number of midwives' cases undertaken within
the Borough was so small that such powers could not be granted.
This decision meant that all the powers under the Midwives Act
were delegated to the County Council, the Borough Council remaining
practically in the same position as hitherto. The County
Council are now preparing their scheme, and have already consulted
the Borough Council as to the steps which the latter proposed
to adopt had they been granted supervisory powers. It is too soon
yet to state what the result of the County Council's deliberations will
be, but it is highly probable that the work will be placed in the
hands of a local voluntary organisation. One thing at least is
certain. The County Council's Scheme will affect the Borough
Council's activities, particularly with regard to the operation of the
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