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The Inspector of Midwives pays as a routine
quarterly visits of inspection to all midwives practicing
in the area. It is noteworthy that although the skilled
midwife is subject to inspection and supervision, the
self-styled maternity nurse, who has received no training
whatsoever, escapes supervision, and provided she does
not act as a midwife in the confinement need keep no
records of her work. We hear a great deal about
maternal mortality, and the steps that are required to
combat this mortality, but we ignore this person who
may be the cause of much harm, not only to the patient's
physical welfare, but also not infrequently carries influence
with the patients in preventing a true knowledge in
the care of maternity and infant welfare.
Dr. G. H. Stinson, Assistant Medical Officer of
Health, who is Inspector of Midwives for the Local
Supervising Authority, reports as follows: —
The general personal appearance and home conditions
of midwives is satisfactory, and in only one case
did inspection appear to be resented. Maternity bags
and instruments were found to be sufficient and well kept.
In one case the equipment lacked completeness, e.g.,
saline infusion apparatus was not kept in the bag. The
standard of keeping registers in some cases is most excellent,
but in other cases they were found not so complete.
The ante-natal notes of some of the midwives' cases are
poor, and apparently not all visits are entered. One
midwife appeared to know very little about ante-natal
work, a post-graduate course was advised, and this she
appeared anxious and willing to carry out. Examinations
by the midwife of doctors' cases are not usually
done, and the ante-natal notes are not kept in these
cases, except in one or two instances.
Post-Certificate Course.
During October, 1931, an excellent course was heid
at Maidstone, and five midwives were financially assisted
to attend.
Maternity Hospital and Maternity Homes.
There were 14 cases financially assisted under the
Council's scheme for admission of cases to the Maternity
Hospital. In addition, 25 cases were recommended from