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

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London County Council 1963

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

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Particulars of domiciliary premature live births are set out below. The difference between
the total (534) shown in this table and the number (438) quoted above represents the
number of deliveries attended by doctors and midwives independently of the Council's
domiciliary midwifery service and those which took place in nursing homes.

Table (v)— Domiciliary or nursing home births—prematurity and mortality by birth weight

1963

WeightNumberProportion per 100 live premature infantsDeaths in 24 hoursSurvivors at 28 days
NumberPer 100 live premature infantsNumberPer 100 live premature infants
2 lb. 3 oz. or less254.71768.0624.0
3 lb. 4 oz. or less264.9830.81661.5
3 lb. 5 oz. to 4 lb. 6 oz.7213.534.26793.1
4 lb. 7 oz. to 4 lb. 15 oz10018.733.09696.0
5 lb. to 5 lb. 8 oz31158.272.330497.7
All cases534100.038*7.148991.6
* Seven babies died after the first day.

Midwives Act, 1951
Notifications received of intention to practise as a midwife:
1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
1,285 1,404 1,447 1,502 1,560
In accordance with section G of Rules of the Central Midwives Board, 166 midwives
in the county attended a refresher course during the year.
Fees to medical practitioners called in by midwives in emergency:
1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
Number of claims 2,653 2,350 1,291 711 357
The decline in medical aid claims by general practitioners is a direct result of the
encouragement given to every woman having home confinement to book a doctor as well
as a midwife. When a doctor is booked he claims a fee from the local Executive Council
under Maternity Medical Services Regulations.
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