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40
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
Mothers confined at home were cared for by six full-time
midwives, three other full-time staff who devoted part of their
time to home nursing, and three part-time district midwives. These
staff were supervised by a non-medical supervisor and deputy, both
of whom combined their posts with supervisory posts in the Home
Nursing Service.
These domiciliary midwives attended the births of 232
babies born to Kingston residents, and cared for a further 491
mothers who were discharged from hospitals within ten days after
confinement. They summoned medical aid in 58 cases.
During the year 1,228 births to Kingston residents took
place in institutions, so that the domiciliary midwives dealt with
11.8 per cent of all births occurring.
The pattern of the midwifery service has changed considerably
during this decade.
Ten years ago it was not possible for certain mothers
to have a hospital confinement. Now the bed allocation has been
increased and many more patients are accepted for institutional
delivery with early discharge if the medical and social conditions
are suitable. All patients requesting an early discharge are
seen and assessed by the domiciliary midwives. They are nursed
by them when discharged home 48 hours after delivery.
Liaison with Hospitals
The Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968 makes it
legal for midwives employed by the local authority to go into the
hospital to deliver patients, and during the year there have been
discussions with hospital staff at Kingston Hospital aimed at a
closer integration of the service.
Training
Student midwives taking Part II midwifery training at
Kingston Hospital and Woking Maternity Hospital are accepted for
training in this authority, which is approved as a training centre
by the Central Midwives Board.