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19
SECTION 2.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE AREA.
10. NURSING IN THE HOME.
(a) General.—Last year I called attention to the fact that nursing in the home
is carried out by the Plaistow Maternity Charity, and mentioned my information
that this organisation does not receive from the public in Barking financial assistance
comparable with the amount of work they are carrying out.
Nursing in the home is equally important as other branches of nursing, and it
is a sorry state of affairs that, owing to lack of support, this organisation has not
been able to extend its activities to cover the increased population in Barking.
(b) Infectious Diseases.—In the event of an epidemic, the Council can provide
nurses for such cases as may require to be nursed in their own homes.
11. MIDWIFERY.
By agreement, dated January 1st, 1924, with the Plaistow Maternity Charity,
the Council annually subsidise the Charity on any deficit from £300 in respect of
300 District Midwifery cases attended by the Charity reckoned at the rate of £1 per
case.
The takings of the Charity for the year ended December 31st, 1931, in respect
of 240 cases, amounted to £249 19s. Od. leaving a balance due to the Charity from
the Council of £50 1s. Od.
According to information obtained from the County Medical Officer, at the end
of 1931 there were ten midwives practising in the district, three of which were
employed by you at your Maternity Ward at Upney Lane, two under the Plaistow
Maternity Charity, and five practising privately.
During 1931 there were 931 maternity cases. 220 of these were conducted by
the Plaistow Maternity Charity, 163 of them were conducted by your own midwives
at Upney Hospital, leaving 548 which were dealt with by medical practitioners,
private midwives or otherwise.
It will be seen, therefore, that roughly one-half of the midwifery is already
under your supervision, because not only is your Medical Officer of Health, Medical
Superintendent of the maternity ward at Upney, but he is also on the Committee of
Management of the Plaistow Maternity Charity.