London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
West Ham 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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SECTION 23: MIDWIFERY,
MATERNITY SERVICES. Total births registered as West Ham births during the year was 2,899.
| Delivered in their own homes within the Borough | 667 |
| Delivered in maternity units within the Borough | 1,956 |
| 276 | |
| Total | 2,899 |
NUMBER OF CONFINEMENTS IN MATERNITY UNITS IN THE BOROUGH
| Hospital | West Ham Residents | Total Births |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Gate | 690 | 1,136 |
| Plaistow Maternity | 850 | 1,082 |
| Queen Mary's | 416 | 821 |
| Totals; | 1,956 | 3,039 |
The number of beds allocated to West Ham mothers referred from the three municipal
clinics has remained throughout the year at 50 beds at Forest Gate Hospital; beds were
also available at Mile End Hospital. Patients who have expressed a wish to be confined in
Plaistow Maternity Hospital or Queen Mary's Hospital have been referred to these institutions
and have had no difficulty in securing admission although no specific allocation of beds has
been reserved for them.
MIDWIVES ATTENDING AT DOMICILIARY CONFINEMENTS
| Source | Number (or equivalent number) of midwives on 31.12.51 | Number of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal | 4 | 113 |
| Plaistow Maternity Hospital | 7 * | 480 |
| Essex County Nurses' Training Home | 2 * | 64 |
| Silvertown & N.W.D.N.A. | 2 (part-time) | 10 |
| Totals: | 15 | 667 |
* These midwives had the assistance of pupils.
In 12 of the 667 delivered in their own homes the midwife acted as maternity nurse.
Medical Aid was summoned in 257 cases. In 199 of these help was required for the
mother only, in 55 help was required for the baby only and;in the remaining 3 cases help was
summoned on account of both mother and baby.
On account of the goodwill and common sense displayed by all concerned the maternity
services have once again worked efficiently and smoothly. The provision of maternity beds
has been ample to cover the needs of the area, and the hospital staffs have been extremely
helpful In admitting patients requiring treatment for unforeseen emergencies.
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