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75
The Borough Council has made arrangements with both the
Nursing Associations, whereby the services of Midwives, Maternity
Nurses and Nurses are available. Full details of these facilities are
set out in Section 2 of this Report.
Attendance upon Parturient Women.
By the Midwives and Maternity Homes Act, 1926, an amendment
was made of the Midwives Act, 1902, and another step forward has
been made with regard to the position of attendance at confinements.
Thus section 1 states as follows :—
"If any person, being either a male person, or a woman not
certified under this Act, attends a woman in child birth—otherwisethan
under the direction and personal supervision of a duly qualified
medical practitioner, that person shall, unless he or she satisfies the
Court that the attention was given in a case of sudden or urgent
necessity, be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
ten pounds :
Provided that the provisions of this sub-section shall not
apply in the case of a person who, while undergoing training with
a view to becoming a duly qualified medical practitioner or a
certified midwife, attends a woman in child-birth as part of a
course of practical instruction in midwifery recognised by the
General Medical Council or by the Central Midwives Board."
This amendment to the Midwives Act is for the purpose of securing
that uncertified women (save in cases of sudden or urgent necessity)
shall not be allowed to attend women in child-birth otherwise than
under the direction and personal supervision of a qualified medical
practitioner. Hitherto it has only been forbidden for an uncertified
woman so to attend women in child-birth " habitually and for gain."
Consultation and Treatment Centres.
The Council has established Pre-Maternity Clinics, which are in
chargc of a part-time lady doctor. The details of these Clinics are
set out in Section 2.
Dental Clinics for expectant and nursing mothers, and children
under five years of age, exist in the eastern and western districts of the
Borough—one established by the Borough Council and one by the
Hampstead Council of Social Welfare. A reference to these Clinics