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Planned Early Discharge of Maternity Patients
Planned early discharge schemes for suitable patients are in operation in
conjunction with the North Middlesex and Chase Farm Hospitals in order to
ensure, in the present circumstances of shortage of maternity beds, a maximum
number of admissions to hospital for those who require hospital delivery on
medical or social grounds. The temporary arrangement with University College
Hospital for a few patients to be accepted under this scheme whilst part of the
maternity ward at the hospital was closed, continued during 1966. Cases were also
accepted from other hospitals provided our quota of planned early discharges was
not exceeded. Patients who are discharged home early under this scheme are
usually cared for by the part-time midwives.
Care of Premature Infants
The number of babies notified during the year who weighed 5½ lb. or less at
birth (the accepted criterion for prematurity) was 217, of which 46 were born at
home. Midwives cared for 38 of these babies at home for the full statutory period
of 28 days and all the children survived.
Portable Incubators
During the year the portable incubators held at the main ambulance depots
were used on 35 occasions to transport premature or sick babies to hospital.
Hospital "Flying Squad" Service
There are two Flying Squads serving the Borough of Enfield, one based at the
North Middlesex Hospital and the other at Chase Farm Hospital.
The squads, which are in the charge of an obstetrician, provide a 24-hour
emergency service for women in labour. During 1966 the squads answered 12
emergency calls.
Analgesia
The question of the best apparatus to use in domiciliary midwifery is still
under review by the Central Midwives Board. At present, trilene equipment is
used by all the domiciliary midwives.
Co-operation of Midwives with General Practitioners
One domiciliary midwife attends ante-natal sessions held by a general practitioner
at his own surgery and a close liaison between midwives and family doctors
is maintained throughout the Borough.
Notification of Intention to Practise
Thirty-four domiciliary midwives employed by the Borough Council and 148
institutional midwives employed at hospitals notified their intention to practise as
midwives in the London Borough of Enfield.
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