View report page

36
Natal Services.
Domiciliary Midwifery Service.
This service has now been functioning since
October, 1937, and has continued to function with
increased efficiency. The work of independent midwives
is negligible so that we may safely say that domiciliary
midwifery is now operated by the local authority.
The service is a complete one giving a free choice
of midwife, the choice of a doctor for the ante-natal and
post-natal examinations in the home of the patient, and
the services of a home help if required. Ancillary
services comprise dental attention, the provision of
dentures, and extra nourishment where advised.
Hospital accommodation is available where the home
circumstances are unsuitable or the case cannot with
safety be confined at home, and the services of a consultant
where complications of pregnancy arise.
It is of interest to note that 65 per cent. of cases
received ante-natal and post-natal attention under the
General Practitioner Scheme, and 33 per cent. received
the services of a home help. There has been a remarkable
fall in the incidences of medical aid being called
for by the midwives at the confinements—a fact which
indicates that the services are effective in the prevention
of complications.
Dr. Stinson, the Inspector of Midwives, reports that
the work of the midwives gives entire satisfaction. Their
records are well kept and their equipment always of a
high standard. She states, "I believe they are very
interested and happy in their work and I would like to
congratulate them on the splendid 'Esprit de Corps'
which exists among them. They are always ready to
help each other if necessary."
Midwives.
(i) The number of midwives practising in the
area of the Local Supervising
Authority at 31st December, 1938
(a) Employed by the Local Supervising
Authority 4
(b) Employed by Voluntary Bodies 15
(c) In private practice 5