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MIDWIFERY SERVICE
Section 23
At the end of 1954 there were ten midwives employed directly by the
County Council and one midwife in private practice in the Area. Of
the County Council midwives seven work in Tottenham and three in
Hornsey.
Seven midwives are approved teachers of district midwifery and six
pupil midwives are received every three months throughout the year
for training. It is hoped to extend the teaching work in the Area in
the future as it is an important factor in maintaining a high standard
of midwifery practice. It also necessitates the midwives keeping themselves
informed of the methods of modern practice and advances.
The number of confinements has remained at a similar level to that
of 1953. There were 524 deliveries by the domiciliary midwives in 1954
compared with 572 for 1953. The average number of cases per midwife
was 51.2. In addition to conducting confinements the midwives attend
ante-natal clinics and thus have an opportunity of examining their own
"booked "cases. Several visits are paid to each patient's home during
the ante-natal period in order that the midwife may advise on points
regarding preparation for confinement and also to afford the patient an
opportunity.of getting to know the midwife. Psychologically it is valuable
for a good midwife-patient relationship to exist and everything is done
to foster this.
Analgesia is available for use by all the midwives and every patient
is introduced to and instructed in the use of the gas-air apparatus before
confinement.
It is anticipated that during the coming year midwives will be fully
trained in the administration of Trilene, which is a more effective
analgesia.
Sterlised maternity outfits were supplied throughout the year for
use at all home confinements.
The following table shows an analysis of the midwives' work:—
79