View report page

63
practitioners are, in the main, willing to allow their patients to attend centres for intermediate
ante-natal examination by a midwife, especially if they have stated that they do
not wish to be called in to the confinement unless needed.
Mortality

Transport
Transport by ambulance cars continued to be available for the use of midwives in
emergencies, particularly at night-time and when undertaking additional relief duties.
Housing of
midwives
accommodation for domiciliary midwives continued to be provided by tne council.
On 31st December, 1952, 53 midwives were housed in 51 houses and flats, of which
31 were owned by the Council and 20 taken on leave or licence.
Payments to
district
nursing
associations
and
hospitals
Payments to district nursing associations under section 23 or the National Health
Service Act, 1946, continued to be merged in the grants made to them for home nursing
services orovided under section 25 of the Act.
The rate of payment to hospitals providing midwifery services on behalf of the
Council continued at the rate of 10 guineas a patient, except in the case of the Mothers
Hospital (Salvation Army) where the rate was £9 15s. Some of the district midwives
employed by that hospital are members of the Salvation Army and do not receive the
full Whitley Council rates of salary.
Maternity
outfits
Every woman delivered at home under the National Health Service is eligible tor a
free maternity outfit, containing accouchement sheet and dressings required for the
confinement. The Council supplies these outfits to its own midwives and to district
nursing associations and hospitals providing a domiciliary midwifery service.
Emergency obstetric service
During the year 66 calls were made to hospitals for the emergency obstetric service ;
36 of these calls were made by doctors and 30 by midwives. The time interval between
the calling and arrival of the service was :
10 minutes 4 cases.
15 to 30 minutes 45 cases.
30 to 45 minutes 12 cases.
50 to 60 minutes 3 cases (cause of delay not stated).
Time interval not recorded 2 cases.