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18
In consequence of the increasing birth rate, particularly in
the post-war years, the number of domiciliary midwives was
increased and by the end of 1947 ten midwives employed
directly by this Council were operating within the Borough.
HOSPITAL CONFINEMENTS:
Provision for hospital confinement is a duty of the
hospital Authority, namely the Middlesex County Council, and
for this area provision is made by Redhill County Hospital and
the Annexe at Bushey. In addition, the Borough Council continued
arrangements with Queen Charlotte's Hospital for the
admission of a limited number of cases. Provision is also
made by the staff of Redhill County Hospital for a consultative
service and a "Flying Squad" for obstetric difficulties occurring
in domiciliary midwifery, and accommodation is provided
for cases of puerperal pyrexia at Redhill County and Hendon
Isolation Hospitals. The following Table shows the comparative
figures for domiciliary, hospital and nursing home confinements.

HOME HELPS:
The Home Help service continued to be in great demand
and at the end of the year 17 full-time and 3 part-time Home
Helps were employed. The number of Home Helps available
necessitated their being limited almost entirely to midwifery
cases but it was found possible to provide assistance in certain
cases apart from the Midwifery scheme. Altogether 355
midwifery and 37 other cases were given assistance. The
demand for this service is very great indeed and the service is
only limited by the number of staff obtainable. I should add
that judging from the expressions of gratitude which are
received, that no service is more appreciated by the public.