View report page

62
The supervisors of midwives investigate all cases of puerperal pyrexia and of
children with skin and eye affections. On two occasions midwives were suspended
from practice for varying periods to prevent the spread of infection.
Lectures
etc., to mid
wives
Two courses each of six post-certificate lectures and three all-day intensive
courses each consisting of four ante- and post-natal demonstrations at hospitals
were arranged in conjunction with Middlesex and Surrey County Councils. The
number of tickets issued to midwives for the lectures was 389 and for the demonstrations
45.
Dangerous
Drugs
Regulations
Statutory Instrument 1950, No. 380, The Dangerous Drugs Regulations, 1950,
came into operation on 1st April, 1950, and authorised certified midwives who had
notified intention to practise to the local supervising authority to be in possession of
and to administer medicinal opium, tincture of opium and pethidine so far as is
necessary for the practice of their profession or employment as midwives. Conditions
were laid down which provided that midwives could only obtain supplies of these
dangerous drugs by the production of a drug book and their personal registers of
cases. Records of supplies and administrations of the drugs have to be kept in the drug
books.
The rules of the Central Midwives Board provide that practising midwives must
not on their own responsibility use any drugs unless in the course of their obstetric
training they have been thoroughly instructed in their use and are familiar with the
dosage and methods of administration or application. To ensure that all practising
domiciliary midwives in London were qualified to administer pethidine, lectures on
this subject were arranged at the County Hall. Midwives who commence to practise
in London in the future and who are not qualified to use these dangerous drugs,
will be given the opportunity to attend similar lectures.
Summoning
of medical
aid, doctors
fees, etc.