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152
There are at present only three independent midwives resident
in Leyton and attending domiciliary confinements.
One (Midwife A), has been in private practice as a midwife in
Leyton and West Ham over a period of 32 years. She will reach
the age of 65 years in August, 1937—the month following that
on which the provisions of the Act will come into operation.
The remaining two midwives notified their intention to practice
in the area in April, 1935.
Organisation of New Service.
Local Sanitary Authorities may arrange for the establishment
of a domiciliary service of salaried midwives by one or other of the
following methods:—
(а) By the appointment of municipal midwives employed
directly by the Authority.
(b) By arrangement with a voluntary organisation
employing salaried midwives in the area.
(c) By a combination of these two methods.
The Act requires that midwives employed in the new service,
whether by local supervising authorities or voluntary organisations,
shall be the whole-time servants of these bodies; but it does not
require that they shall devote the whole of their time to midwifery
and maternity nursing.
It will be necessary for your Council to consult with the bodies
specified in Section 1 (2) of the Act [i.e., (1) the Essex County Nursing
Association; (2) the local branch of the British Medical Association;
and (3) the local branch of the Midwives' Institute], before submitting
your proposals; and to decide the extent to which the
number of midwives considered to be necessary shall be employed
by you or by the Essex County Nursing Association exclusively
or jointly.