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Four midwives attended Post-Certificate Refresher (G.I.) Courses
as required by the rules of the Central Midwives Board.
Flying Squad
Services of the Flying Squad were requested by the domiciliary
midwives on three occasions during the year. The response was immediate
and this service is very much valued and appreciated.
Care of Premature Babies—Portable Incubator
These incubators are held at main ambulance depots and are used
for the transport of small or sick infants under good conditions of warmth
and humidity with the addition of oxygen if required. No calls were made
on this service during the year.
Liaison with Group Practices
In November 1966, a pilot scheme was started at a Group Practice
working in the Edgware district of the Borough. In this scheme the
midwives working in this area take it in turns to attend the ante-natal
clinic which is held at the surgery of the Group Practice once weekly.
This scheme appears to be working well and the advantages can be
summarised:—
(1) the patient is seen by a doctor and midwife on her attendance
at the clinic
(2) the doctor and midwife are able to confer readily when necessary
(3) the patient has only to attend one centre
(4) the patient benefits psychologically from the close co-operation
between doctor and midwife
(5) the possibility of conflicting advice is diminished
(6) liaison between doctor and midwife is enhanced.
This scheme appears to be excellent but for the midwife to be fully
occupied during clinic time, it is desirable that the Group Practice concerned
should be a sufficiently large unit.
Notification of Intention to Practice
Twenty-three midwives notified their intention to practice within
the Borough as is required under the Rules of the Central Midwives
Board. Twenty-two of these were domiciliary midwives.
Section 24 — Health Visiting
During the year 1966 the health visiting establishment remained
static as three resignations due to retirement were offset by the appointment
of three Student Health Visitors who completed their training in