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21
SECTION 2.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE AREA.
10. NURSING IN THE HOME.
(a) General.—The Plaistow Maternity Hospital and District Nurses' Home
carry out general district nursing in a part of Barking.
Last year I called your attention to the fact that nursing in the home is equally
important as other branches of nursing, particularly when all our hospitals have
long waiting lists.
This matter is presently engaging your attention.
(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 1932, in respect
of 196 cases, amounted to £201 9s. 6d. leaving a balance due to the Charity from
the Council of £98 10s. 6d.
According to information obtained from the County Medical Officer, at the end
of 1932 there were twelve midwives practising in the district, four of which were
employed by you at your Upney (Maternity) Hospital, two under the Plaistow
Maternity Charity, and six practising privately.
During 1932 there were 1,105 maternity cases. 179 of these were conducted by
the Plaistow Maternity Charity, 214 of them were conducted by your own midwives
at Upney (Maternity) Hospital, leaving 712 which were dealt with by medical
practitioners, private midwives or otherwise.
It will be seen, therefore, that roughly forty per cent of the midwifery is
already under your supervision, because not only is your Medical Officer of Health,
Medical Superintendent of the Upney (Maternity) Hospital, but he is also on the
Committee of Management of the Plaistow Maternity Charity.