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The local health authority is also the local supervising authority for the purposes
of the Mid wives Act, 1951.
The number of births, as well as the percentage of domiciliary births, has steadily
decreased since 1965, whilst the percentage of hospital confinements and planned
early discharge cases has increased.
Domiciliary mid wives attended 858 confinements.
They also undertook the care of 605 patients discharged home after hospital
confinement before the tenth day, the majority being patients for whose care arrangements
had been made under the Council's planned early discharge scheme. The figure
includes, however, those who took their own early discharge from hospital and also
some who were booked for home confinement but who were subsequently admitted
to hospital as emergency cases.
Each patient under the care of a domiciliary midwife is issued with a maternity
pack shortly before the expected date of confinement.
Each expectant mother booked for domiciliary confinement receives a copy of
"The Baby Book", which contains information and advice on health during
pregnancy and guidance on the rearing of young children. Those booked for hospital
confinement and who attend the hospital during the ante-natal period normally
receive a similar book.
Planned Early Discharge of Maternity Patients
Planned early discharge schemes for suitable patients are in operation in conjunction
with North Middlesex and Chase Farm Hospitals in order to ensure, in the
present shortage of maternity beds, a maximum number of admissions to hospitals
for those who require hospital delivery on medical or social grounds. Cases are also
accepted on occasions from other hospitals.
Care of Premature Infants
The number of babies notified during the year who weighed 5j lb. or less at
birth (the accepted criterion for prematurity) was 260. Forty-one were born at home
and mid wives cared for 38 of them at home. One child, with mongolism and congenital
defects, died, aged three weeks.
Liaison with General Practitioners
A close liaison between mid wives and family doctors continued to be maintained
and at the end of the year five mid wives were attached to group practices.
Portable Incubators
During the year the portable incubators held at main ambulance depots were
used on 29 occasions to transport premature or sick babies to hospital.
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