View report page

Heat insulating swaddlers were introduced as a standard item of equipment for
use by mid wives when premature and small babies have to be transported to hospital.
Hospital "Flying Squad" Service
There are two" Flying Squads" serving the borough, one based at North
Middlesex Hospital and the other at Chase Farm Hospital.
The squads, each of which is in the charge of an obstetrician, provide a 24-hour
emergency service for women in labour. They answered twelve emergency calls.
Analgesia
The domiciliary mid wives all use trichloroethylene inhalers which are regularly
tested in accordance with the rules of the Central Mid wives' Board.
Notification of Intention to Practise
Twenty-five domiciliary mid wives employed by the borough council and 126
institutional mid wives employed at hospitals notified their intention to practise as
mid wives within the borough during 1969.
Disposal of Placentae and Offensive Dressings
Disposal points are conveniently situated throughout the borough for use by
authorised persons. Means have been provided in recently built tall blocks of council
flats for disposal of offensive dressings, etc., by incineration.
Training of Pupil Mid wives
During 1969 arrangements were made with North Middlesex Hospital to undertake
the Part II training of pupil mid wives after they had completed their Part I
training at that Hospital, and two pupils at a time were taken under this scheme as
from 1st September, 1969.
Training of Staff of other Agencies
Student nurses from two local hospitals continued to spend time accompanying
mid wives on visits to patients and at ante-natal clinics as part of their training and
these visits were arranged once a month during 1969.
In addition, lectures on the domiciliary midwifery service continued to be given
periodically to student nurses at North Middlesex Hospital by the Supervisor of
Mid wives.
(See Statistical Tables 12 and 13)
HEALTH VISITING
Under Section 24 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, it is the duty of
every local health authority to make provision in their area for the visiting of persons
in their homes by health visitors for the purpose of giving advice as to the care of
young children, persons suffering from illness and expectant or nursing mothers, and
as to the measures necessary to prevent the spread of infection.
32