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
Carshalton 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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Maternity Outfits.
Sterilised outfits for use during confinement are available at cost
price or less than cost in necessitous cases.
Home Helps.
Four full-time and 9 part-time women were employed to serve,
both as Home Helps during confinement and as Domestic Helps in
cases of general sickness. Twenty-three maternity cases up to 4th
July, were assisted in this way at a cost determined by the income
scales recommended by the Metropolitan Boroughs Joint Standing
Committee.
Midwives.
Two midwives are appointed by the District Council under the
County Council's midwifery scheme, formulated under the Midwives
Act, 1936. The fees fixed by the County Council for the services of
the midwives are as follows:—
As Maternity Nurse 35/As
Midwife 40/-
Provision is made for a reduced fee in necessitous cases.
The work carried out by this Council's midwives during the first six months of the year is indicated by the following details Cases conducted:—
| (1) As Midwife—Live births | Primip. | Multip. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 72 | 81 | |
| Stillbirths | - | 1 | 1 |
| (2) As Maternity Nurse:— | |||
| Live births | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Stillbirths | - | - | - |
| 12 | 80 | 92 | |
| Medical Aid Forms sent by Midwives | 21 | ||
| Delayed Labour | 2 | ||
| Torn Perineum | 8 | ||
| Discharging Eyes | 3 | ||
| Abnormal Presentation | 2 | ||
| Post-Partum Haemorrhage | 1 | ||
| Foetal Distress | 1 | ||
| Adherent Placenta | 1 | ||
| Early rupture of Membranes | 2 | ||
| Fainting during Labour . | 1 | ||
Voluntary Helpers.
Voluntary work has always been a feature of the Council's clinic
arrangements. The 12 ladies who gave regular attendance continued
their services after the 5th July, when the scheme became the responsibility
of the County Council.
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