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33
There were the usual difficulties in filling vacancies, but
it was possible to maintain a full establishment. Midwives work
in pairs, so that one midwife is on duty when her partner is
away. Off duty is planned on a four weeks' rota, which is
constant giving as far as possible a different day off in the
week for three weeks and a weekend for the fourth week. A "day
off" is from 5 p.m. on one day to 7 a.m. two days later (38
hours) and a "weekend" from 5 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday.
Apart from the day of return from leave, two hours off duty is
given each day in the morning, afternoon or evening to fit clinic
attendances and the needs of the partner midwife. The Corporation
have continued to provide furnished or unfurnished
accommodation as may be desired and supply a car or pay a full
car allowance to all domiciliary midwives.
Ten general practitioner obstetricians now hold ante-natal
sessions in their own surgeries at which midwives attend. This
is in addition to the general practitioner sessions at the
Corporation clinic at New Addington.
For detailed figures see appendices, pages 105-107.
Midwives Acts, 1902-51
The number of Midwives who notified their intention to practise
as midwives or maternity nurses, within the Borough (including
those in hospitals) and who were practising at the end
of the year was 69. All held the certificate of the Central Midwives'
Board. The Medical Supervisor of Midwives visits midwives
in private practice and nursing homes, and the Superintendent
Municipal Midwife carries out these duties for the domiciliary
midwives.