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of patients who were discharged from the hospital before the
10th day. 2,359 compared with 2,421. However, the number who
were discharged from hospital to the care of midwives within 48
hours of confinement increased again (1,006 compared with 927):
TABLE 5
Midwifery
No. of Domiciliary Confinements attended by Mid wives
Number of
patients delivered
in Hospitals
and other
institutions and
discharged and
attended by
domiciliary
midwife before
10th day
Doctor not Booked
Doctor Booked
Doctor
present
at
delivery
Doctor
not
present
at
delivery
Doctor
present at
delivery
(either the
booked
doctor or
another)
Doctor
not
present
at
delivery
Total
Nil
Nil
207
785
992
2,359
The proportion of births in hospital rose to 75.4 per cent;
marginally over the figure of 70 to 75 per cent estimated as those
expectant mothers falling within one or other of the priority
groups for hospital confinement. In October 1968 a new maternity
wing comprising 104 beds was opened at Rush Green Hospital
replacing previous accommodation of 96 beds at Old church
Hospital and 14 beds at Rush Green Hospital.
The transfer of a complete and functioning maternity unit,
during the course of one day, from one hospital to another, without
any interference with the work was a notable and possibly
unique operation and all those concerned merit sincere congratulation.
There are insufficient maternity beds in the area to meet all
needs but the Regional Hospital Board operate a scheme whereby
hospitals in adjacent areas accommodate patients from this
area if a bed cannot be booked locally. The need for patients
to go to hospitals at a distance from the Borough may become
unnecessary when accommodation for such patients is provided
at Harold Wood Hospital where the new maternity unit is nearing
completion.
The duties of the District Midwife include carrying out
14