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149
In considering the number of midwives to be employed it will
be necessary to allow for annual and sick leave, and for such emergencies
as the suspension of a midwife from duty in order to prevent
the spread of infection; and authorities are advised to frame
their proposals in such a way as to allow choice of midwife to
women availing themselves of the new service.
Under the present Rules of the Central Midwives' Board (made
under Section 3 of the Midwives Act, 1902), a midwife or maternity
nurse must attend women in their homes during childbirth and
the "lying-in period." This period is at present defined to be
not less than 10 days, but under the amended Rules of the Central
Midwives' Board the period is extended to a minimum of 14 days.
It is suggested that attendance on 90 cases (whether as midwife
or maternity nurse) per year per midwife be accepted as a reasonable
standard in the calculation of initial staff requirements.
Assuming—
(a) that the birth-rate remains at about its present level;
(b) that there is no marked change in the proportion of
women entering institutions for their confinements;
(c) that the proportion of domiciliary confinements likely
to be attended by independent midwives is not greater than
5 per cent;
I estimate that the initial services of eight full-time salaried
midwives will be required for domiciliary service in the area.
Existing Midwifery Arrangements.
The following statistical summary shows how, during the
past five years, the domiciliary midwifery work in the area has
been apportioned between (a) Essex County Nursing Association
Midwives, (b) Other midwives resident in Leyton, and (c) Midwives
resident outside Leyton.