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29
In addition 27 certificates (14 male and 13 female) were accepted as evidence
of blindness in respect of persons transferred to London from other authorities, and
4 certificates (1 male and 3 female) in respect of persons privately examined.
Eighty-two blind persons were examined as to suitability for training and 69
(55 male and 14 female) were found suitable.
Midwives Acts, 1902 to 1936, Nursing Homes Registration and Maternity and Child
Welfare Contribution Schemes
Domiciliary
midwifery
service
In the annual report tor the year 1907, particulars were given of the scheme,
which was approved by the Council and by the Minister of Health, for implementing
Section (1) of the Midwives Act, 1936, so far as London was concerned. The scheme
came into operation on 1st January, 1938.
The scheme has been a marked success, and this was attributable very largely
to the careful planning, in advance, of co-ordinated effort by the Council, by the
Borough Councils, and by the participating voluntary organisations.
L.C.C.
midwives
When the scheme started, 47 Council midwives were appointed. Experience
has shown that, in some parts of the county, provision was adequate, but in certain
districts, especially in those in which independent midwives took advantage of the
opportunity of obtaining compensation by surrendering their certificates under
Section 5 of the Act (see p. 30), bookings became heavier and it became necessary,
from time to time, to strengthen the staff. The total number of Council midwives
employed at the end of the vear was 53.
Liason
between
hospital and
domiciliary
service
In view of the large demand for accommodation in the maternity wards of the
Council's hospitals, arrangements were made to advise applicants for admission
thereto, who, after medical examination, were considered suitable for confinement
at home, to apply to one of the Council's domiciliary midwives. During the year
389 such patients were booked by Council midwives.
Voluntary
organisations
In last year s report it was stated that 36 voluntary organisations were entering
into agreements with the Council to provide for the employment of 120 midwives
on domiciliary midwifery.
Towards the end of 1938, the Council decided, after consultation with the
London Maternity Services Joint Committee, the representative body with which
the preliminary negotiations with regard to the scheme were conducted, that the
present scheme should be allowed to continue for a further year, subject to certain
minor amendments.
The Women's Public Health Officers' Association, the Midwives' Institute and
the Metropolitan Counties Branch of the British Medical Association expressed the
opinion that the scheme as a whole had worked satisfactorily. Meetings with
obstetric consultants, health visitors, etc., have been held to ensure the smooth
working of the scheme.
Statistics

The ante-natal care of the midwifery patients (booked cases only) was undertaken
by the under-mentioned agencies:—
Midwife only 807
Private doctor 241
Hospital 5,049
Borough ante-natal clinic 3,097
Private doctor and hospital 10
Private doctor and borough ante-natal clinic 39
Hospital and borough ante-natal clinic 80
Private doctor, hospital and borough ante-natal clinic 3
Voluntary organisations 47
Total 9,373