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child. When a child is found in the care of an unsuitable person
it is often difficult to secure its immediate removal, whereas an
inspection of the home prior to the child's arrival "would obviate
difficulties arising later. Wherever possible assistance and advice
is given to persons wishing to act as fostermothers and to persons
wishing to place their children in suitable care. From the table
of statistics it will be seen that in nine cases the removal of the child
had to be requested and in each case this removal was secured
without recourse to legal action.
SUPERVISION OF MIDWIVES.
During the year 54 mid wives notified their intention to
practice within the Borough, this number including 13 mid wives
residing outside the district. Of the 41 midwives residing within
the Borough, 20 were engaged in private practice and 18 were
employed in nursing homes, five of these also attending patients
in their own homes. All these midwives possessed the certificate
of the Central Midwives Board.
Number of births attended by midwives :
When acting in the capacity of midwife:
(a) In private Nursing Homes 73
(b) At the patient's home 569
When acting in the capacity of maternity nurse
(a doctor being in attendance) :
(a) In private Nursing Homes 187
(b) At the patient's home 151
Notification.—'The number of notifications received from
midwives, in accordance with the Rules of the Central Midwives
Board, was as follows :
Notifications of
Sending for medical assistance
On account of a complication of pregnancy 29
On account of a complication during labour 119
On account of a complication during the
puerperium 11
On account of the health of the child 29
188