London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1942

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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8
Blind persons
During the year, 1,011 applicants for registration or training under the
provisions of the Blind Persons Acts, 1920 and 1938, were examined by the
Council's ophthalmologists. Of these, 769 (331 male and 438 female) were certified
as blind, and 242 (81 male and 161 female) were found not to be blind.
In addition, 107 certificates (34 male and 73 female) from voluntary hospitals,
outside authorities or private ophthalmologists were accepted as evidence of
blindness, and 8 (1 male and 7 female) as not evidence of blindness.
Thirty-six blind persons were examined as to suitability for training and 31
(22 male and 9 female) were found suitable.
Domiciliary
midwifery
service—
London
County
Council
midwives
Midwives Acts, 1902 to 1936, nursing homes registration and contributions to
voluntary organisations for maternity and child welfare
There was a gradual rise in the weekly number of domiciliary confinements
attended by the Council's midwives during the second half of 1941. During 1942
this increase was maintained and 6,137 confinements were undertaken compared
with 3,570 in 1941. At the end of the year the total number of midwives on the
staff was 102, and the average number employed throughout the year (permanent
and temporary) was 86.6.

The following is a statement of the number of confinements undertaken by the Council's own midwives during 1942, compared with the year 1938, which was the first year of the Council's domiciliary midwifery service:—

Maternity nursing casesMid wifery casesTotal
19423795,7586,137
19384492,9243,373

Two non-medical supervisors' positions were substituted for that of one medical
supervisor.
Increasing difficulties were experienced by newly recruited midwives in establishing
their homes, and it was necessary to make special arrangements for the supply
of furniture and gas appliances. In one case a house was obtained by the Council
and let to two midwives.
Domiciliary
midwifery
service—
voluntary
organisations
There was a similar rise in the number ot district confinements undertaken in
1942 compared with 1941 (5,186 against 2,973) by the voluntary organisations
included in the Council's domiciliary midwifery scheme. The total numbers of
confinements undertaken by the voluntary organisations during 1942, compared
with 1938, were as follows:—
Maternity
nursing cases
Midwifery
cases
Total
1942
Voluntary hospitals domiciliary service
District nursing associations
109 3,279 3,388
369 1,429 1,798
Grand total 5,186
1938
Voluntary hospitals domiciliary service 251 5,484 5,735
District nursing associations 606 1,158 1,764
Grand total 7,499
It will be observed, from the number of maternity nursing cases undertaken
by the Council's own midwives and by district nursing associations during 1942,
compared with the number undertaken during 1938, that there has been a decrease
in the number of confinements for which the midwife was booked as maternity nurse.