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
London County Council 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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64
Births in
London in
1937
The following statement shows the number of confinements which occurred in London in 1937, classified under the various forms of attendance. The figures have been arrived at as a result of an examination of statistics furnished from various sources. The total number of confinements in London in 1937 was 66,029.
| Institutional confinements | |
|---|---|
| Voluntary hospitals | *20.579 |
| Borough maternity homes | 2,409 |
| L C.C hospitals | 19.843 |
| Private nursnm homes | 3.440 |
| Total | 46 271 |
| Borough midwives | 176 |
| Voluntary hospitals and organisations | 7,585 |
| Independent midwives | *6.858 |
| Private doctors | *5,139 |
| Total | 19.758 |
* Estimated.
Midwives
The number of births used by the Registrar-General in calculating the birthrate
of London was 55,011. The substantial difference between this figure and the
66,029 notified births indicates that a large number of women whose normal place
of residence is outside London come to London for their confinement.
Certified midwives to the number of 1,045 gave notice of intention to practise
within the county during the year, compared with 956 in 1936.
These 1,045 midwives fall into the following categories :—
| In private practice | 224 |
| Out-county | 54 |
| Nursing homes | 129 |
| Municipal | 4 |
| L.C.C. hospitals | 197 |
| Voluntary maternity hospitals (district) | 180 |
| Voluntary general and special hospitals | 86 |
| Borough maternity homes | 59 |
| Voluntary nursing associations | 95 |
| Holiday relief only | 11 |
| Specific occasions | 6 |
| Total | 1,045 |
The following is a summary of returns which have been made voluntarily by the 224 midwives in private practice in London as to the number of cases attended by them during 1937 :—
| Number of midwives who attended under 25 cases | *121 |
| „ „ 25 to 50 | 48 |
| „ „ 50 to 75 „ | 25 |
| 75 to 100 „ | 16 |
| ,, ,, ,, over 100 „ | 14 |
| Total | .. 224 |
Of whom 51 took no patients.
Practising midwives, other than those who work entirely under medical supervision
in hospitals approved by the Central Midwives Board, are subject to inspection
by the Council's inspectors of midwives with a view to ensuring that a proper standard
of efficiency is maintained. The work of inspection is carried out by four
women assistant medical officers, who supervise the work of the midwives generally,
give advice in regard to any difficulties that may arise in connection with their work
and pay special visits where cases of a septic nature or persistent high temperature,
inflammation of the eyes or blisters on the child occur; 3,160 visits were paid this
year compared with 2,978 in 1936.