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123
In accordance with these- instructions I beg to report
as follows:—
Inspection of Midwives.
In Willesden at the present time there are 24 midwives
in practice, and these are under the control and supervision
of the Middlesex County Council. The Local Government
Board think that there is advantage in the inspection of
midwives being in the hands of the authority which is working
the Maternity Scheme, and County Councils may delegate
their powers under the Midwives Act, 1902, to the
Councils of County districts.
I am of opinion that application should be made to the
Middlesex County Council for the delegation of their powers
under Section 9 of the Midwives Act, 1902, to the Willesden
District Council in order that the scheme of the latter for the
care of mothers and children may be properly co-ordinated
as regards both the work of the Midwife and Health Visitor
in respect of the following:—
I. Home Visitation.—At the present time births are not
visited until at least 10 days after confinement when
the midwife has ceased visiting. Earlier visitation
would have the following advantages:—
(a) The mother would be still in bed when the
Health Visitor called and would have time to
talk over matters relating to the child.
(b) There would be greater possibility of securing
breast feeding.
(c) Cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum would come
under observation at an earlier date and receive
the early treatment necessary to prevent total
or partial blindness, of which this disease is
the main cause.