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Midwifery Service
This year saw many changes in the health department. Not least in importance
were the changes in the midwifery service.
Midwives' ante-natal clinics have been held for some years in Central, Julia
Engwell, Porters Avenue and Thames View Clinics, and the introduction of a
midwives' ante-natal clinic at Marks Gate Clinic has aided in giving better antenatal
care. It is hoped to establish more of these ante-natal clinics in the
future.
With the creation of the new London Borough of Barking came the Part II
Midwifery Training School. This was already long established under Essex County
Council administration, at York House and 144 Longbridge Road Nurses' Homes.
This School is still being used by pupil midwives of the Waltham Forest School.
During this year twenty pupils completed their Part II training successfully.
Nine of our midwives are approved as teachers by the Central Midwives Board.
It is hoped in the near future to introduce the alternate week-end system
of off-duty for all midwives serving the borough.
During the year, midwives attended 658 domiciliary confinements of which
591 had also booked their family doctor or G.P. obstetrician. In addition, 948
cases of early discharge from hospital received nursing care from the domiciliary
midwives.
Care of the Unmarried Mother
The Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association, acting on behalf of the
Council, arranged for the comprehensive care and confinement of 55 cases.
Infant Welfare Centres
During the year, 7,078 children attended the following centres:-
Center Frequency of Sessions When Held
The Clinic, Weekly. Thursday a.m.
Ashton Gardens, and p.m.
Chadwell Heath.
The Clinic, Weekly. Monday p.m.
Becontree Avenue, Wednesday a.m.
Dagenham.
Central Clinic, Weekly. Tuesday p.m.
Vicarage Drive, Thursday p.m.
Barking.
The Clinic, Weekly. Tuesday a.m.
Ford Road, Thursday p.m.
Dagenham.
Greatfields Clinic, Weekly. Tuesday p.m.
Movers Lane,
Barking.
Julia Engwell Clinic, Weekly. Tuesday and
Woodward Road, Friday p.m.
Dagenham.
Leys Clinic, Weekly. Tuesday p.m.
Ballards Road, Thursday a.m.
Dagenham.
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