View report page

The Non-medical Supervisor of Midwives, Miss I.M. Clarke, reports:
Tower Hamlets has five hospital maternity units in its area.There
is consequently less demand for the domiciliary service than in many
other areas. A hospital bed should be available for any mother needing
it on medical or social grounds, provided reasonable notice is given.
The midwives work in conjunction with general practitioners on
the Obstetric List, and (in the case of the London Hospital) with the
medical staff of the hospital. Five joint ante-natal sessions are held
weekly, to help liaison between doctor and midwife.
An emergency Obstetric Unit may be obtained through the Ambulance
Service, when required, though fortunately this is rarely needed; it
was, in fact, called upon once this year.
A limited "early transfer'scheme is in operation at the Mile
End, Bethnal Green and the London Hospitals; by prior arrangement, some
patients are transferred home in the care of the domiciliary midwife 2 to
5 days after their babies are born. This scheme is not widely used,
because it is felt that the practice is not always in the best interests
of the mother,baby and the family,but with co-operation between hospital
midwife and family, it can be a satisfactory compromise in a few cases.
The midwives assist in training pupil midwives and medical students,
who are given experience in working under domestic, as opposed to hospital,
conditions.
A total of 446 mothers were attended by domiciliary midwives,many
of whom were supervised for some months beforehand, but it is somewhat
disturbing to note that one in six saw the midwife for the first time
less than three months before their babies were due, thus failing to
avail themselves of the full care provided by the service."
Further statistics will be found on page 95.
Midwives Act 1951.The Council is a local supervising authority under
the Midwives Act 1951, supervising functions under the Act being carried out
by the Council's Non-medical Supervisor of Midwives. The number of midwives
who notified their intention to practise as midwives within the Borough,
including those in hospitals, and who were practising at the end of the year,
was 115. The Council is also responsible under the Act for payment of fees
to medical practitioners summoned for medical aid to 'unbooked' patients, fees
amounting to £26.7.6d. being paid during the year ended 3lst March, 1966.
These occasions may arise as a result of a doctor not being booked in advance
by the mother or urgent requests for immediate help by a midwife from a local
practitioner.
37.