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Arrangements for ante-natal supervision by midwives, Midwives conduct
their own ante-natal clinics, but there is always a doctor on the premises
to see patients at the 36th week and at any time when the midwife requires
another opinion.
Co-operation with general practitioners undertaking maternity medical
services. The number of maternity cases is relatively small, approximately
five per cent. Good relationship and a co-operative spirit appears to
exist between general practitioners and midwives.
Arrangements for selecting women whose confinement in hospital is
recommended on social grounds, Selection is in accordance with Ministry of
Health circular No. L,H.A.L. 1/51, but it would appear that in this area any
expectant mother can obtain admission to hospital for her confinement by
direct application to the hospital concerned, without liaison with the
Medical Officer of Health,
Refresher courses for midwives, Midwives attend post-graduate courses
arranged by the Royal College of Midwives,
Arrangements, if any for training pupil midwives. There are no
arrangements for the training of pupil midwives, but such arrangements are
envisaged for this area in the near future,
7. Health Visiting,
This service is under the direct control of the Medical Officer of
Health, The staff is made up of the Superintendent Health Visitor and
twenty-one certified health visitors who carry out the combined duties of
school health nurse and maternity and child welfare and general health work.
The borough is divided into twenty-one areas to each of which a health
visitor is allocated, A weekly rota of duties for the staff is prepared
by the Superintendent Health Visitor,
Beyond visiting expectant and nursing mothers and young children.
health visitors visit the homes to -
(a) Advise on epidemiological problems in connection with infectious
disease (as detailed in instruction and advice sheets issued
also to all general practitioners) ( See pages 48 - 53).
(b) Assist problem families,
(c) Advise in domestic difficulties with adolescents,
(d) Pursue follow-up or after-care of persons (old age groups) discharged
from hospital,
(e) Assist general practitioners, on request, with special cases,
(f) Undertake the management and guidance of unmarried mothers,
(g) Supervise child-minding,
(h) Help the Children's Officer in adoptions, children to be taken into
care, etc,
(i) Assist in the care of some old people, H
(j) Give advice to some households with a mentally defective child.
(k) Compile reports re housing problems.
The link-up with general practitioners and .hospitals is referred to
under heading (2),
Facilities to obtain Health Visitor's certificate. The Council participates
in a County scheme to select and send for training at the SouthEast
Essex Technical College suitable nurses who wish to take the Health
Visltor's certificate. The scheme includes loan of monies to the student
part of which is repayable. Facilities are freely offered for studenthealth
visitors to take part in the clinic work and other health activities
in the borough in collaboration with the Senior Health Visitor Tutor
of the College,