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PERSONAL HEALTH
Liaison with
hospitals
Planned early discharge schemes for suitable patients continued to be in operation in conjunction with
North Middlesex and Chase Farm Hospitals, and a few patients were accepted from hospitals outside
the borough. This scheme ensures availability of maternity beds for the maximum number of those
requiring hospital delivery on medical or social grounds.
As a further step in liaison towards an integrated health service, a scheme was commenced during
May in co-operation with Chase Farm and Highlands Hospitals whereby domiciliary midwives attended
selected patients in these hospitals for their delivery and nursing care, continuing this care in their
homes following an early discharge.
Liaison with
general
practitioners
A close liaison continued between midwives and general practitioners. One further attachment was
arranged during the year thus providing cover for 44 general practitioners at 15 practices by 14 midwives.
Prevention of
haemolytic disease
of the new-born
In January a scheme was introduced whereby all Rhesus-negative mothers delivered at home are given
an injection of Anti-D Immunoglobulin if this is found to be necessary by the result of a blood test
taken from the mother and from the umbilical cord immediately after delivery. This injection prevents
the formation of antibodies which could be detrimental to the life and health of a subsequent sibling.
Six mothers received the injection during the year.
Portable
incubators
Portable incubators, held at the main ambulance depots in the borough, were used to transfer 24
premature or sick babies to hospitals. Midwives were given instruction in the use of the equipment by
the ambulance service personnel.
Inhalational
analgesia
Trichloroethylene inhalers, used by all domiciliary midwives for the relief of pain in labour, were
regularly tested in accordance with the rules of the Central Midwives Board.
Disposal of
placentae and
offensive dressings
Disposal points are situated throughout the borough for use by authorised persons.
Training of
pupil midwives
Arrangements continued for pupil midwives from North Middlesex Hospital to receive Part II
training and the continued help and co-operation given by other departments of the Council, by
voluntary organisations and by general practitioners were very much appreciated. Sixteen pupils were
trained during the year by approved teaching midwives with 100% pass at the first sitting of the
examination. The Supervisor of Midwives gave assistance by invitation at the hospital examination of
Part II pupil midwives.
Training of staff
of other agencies
As part of their obstetric training student nurses from two local hospitals accompanied midwives on
visits to patients and at ante-natal clinics. Lectures were given by the Supervisor of Midwives to second
year student nurses at the North Middlesex Hospital.
Parentcraft
Midwives share the responsibility with health visitors for attending parentcraft films held for prospective
parents, in order to promote discussion and questions.
They also assist health visitors in the programmes in mothercraft and relaxation held at local authoritv
clinics. All patients booked for delivery at home or at local hospitals are sent details of films anc
classes to be held.
See Tables (14), (15), (16) and (17).
Section 24,
National Health
Service Act 1946
Health visiting
Local health authorities are required to make certain provisions for the visiting of persons in th
homes.
Section 11,
Health Services
and Public Health
Act 1968
Section 11 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 provides for the visiting by health visitors
of persons elsewhere than in their homes, thereby promoting more effective deployment of staff
and facilitating co-operation between general medical practice and local health authority services. The
section provides also for reciprocal arrangements between one local health authority and another.
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