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153
In order that I might be able to ascertain their views, I have
held informal consultations with representatives of the bodies
mentioned, and may state that the suggestions I am making are
such as would be likely to meet with their approval.
As the result of the improved conditions of service and status
of midwives envisaged in the Act it can be foreseen that in years
to come the municipal service will no doubt attract midwives of
the highest training and experience; but for the time being the
service must be staffed by the midwives available, few of whom can
be described as in all respects ideal. However experienced and
reliable they may be, they have not been trained to official duty;
and, being for the most part of middle age, they may not take kindly
to office work and administrative routine. The administration of
these women, who are more or less the free-lances of their profession,
may not be easy. Inasmuch as firmness will be required in the
Authority's interest and humanity in that of the midwives, their
supervision and control will call for more than the ordinary amount
of tact; and supervision will be much easier in the case of midwives
directly employed by the Council than in the case of those
employed by voluntary organisations.
In view of the long experience of the midwives of the Essex
County Nursing Association in attending domiciliary confinements
in this area, their reputation among Leyton mothers, their cooperation
in the work of your Council's maternity services and their
association with the maternity department of Queen Mary's Hospital,
I suggest that your Council consider the advisability of making
an initial arrangement with the Association for the provision of a
domiciliary service of five salaried midwives under your control to
serve that part of the area which is within a reasonable distance from
the Association's Nurses' Home in Beachcroft Road. It may be
found necessary to increase the number later in the event of the
demand for their services justifying such increase. The Association
retains a staff of midwives available for emergency duty in the
County area, and this emergency staff could be available in this
area if required.
As the Essex County Nursing Association Home in Beachcroft
Road is at too great a distance from the western part of the Borough,
it will be necessary to appoint three municipal midwives for duty in
the western part of the Borough.