London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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63
view of the shortage of Midwives and the consequential pressure on institutional
maternity accommodation, the Central Midwives Board had decided
that so far as Midwives working wholly within institutions were concerned,
they would not take disciplinary action against a Midwife in accordance
with their rules, solely on account of the period of attendance given in a case
where a Midwife had attended a patient during the time occupied by the
labour and a period of not less than 10 days thereafter. The Ministry hoped
that the Authorities of all maternity institutions would take advantage of the
Board's action in order that the maximum possible use might be made of
every available staffed maternity bed.
In view of the large amount of work being undertaken by the nursing
staff and the difficulty in obtaining additional staff, the Council decided in
Ootober, 1946, to increase the salaries of the nursing staff at the MaternityHome
by 20% over the soales contained in the recommendations of the
Midwives' Salaries Committee, as from 1st Ootober, 1946, the matter to be
reviewed in 12 months' time.
Emergency Block.—170 cases were treated, 143 being admitted direot
to this Block and 27 being transferred from the Ward Blocks. Two of the
latter cases were confined in the Ward Blocks, discharged, and subsequently
admitted to the Emergenoy Block owing to Secondary Post-partum Haemorrhage.
The 143 cases were admitted for the following reasons:—
| Abortion or miscarriage | 6 | Monilia infection of vagina | 2 |
| Absence of foetal movements | 1 | Multiple fibroids (for hysterectomy) | 1 |
| Acne | 1 | ||
| Albuminuria | 3 | No arrangements made (confined before admission) | 1 |
| Albuminuria & hyperpiesia | 1 | ||
| Ante Partum Haemorrhage | 15 | Obstructed labour | 2 |
| Ante Partum Haemorrhage and Pre-eclampsia | 1 | Oedema of leg | 1 |
| Otorrhoea | 1 | ||
| Ante Partum Haemorrhage, Placenta Praevia | 1 | Placenta Praevia | 8 |
| Post-maturity | 2 | ||
| Breech presentation | 3 | Post Partum haemorrhage (including 2 confined before admission) | 3 |
| Colitis | 1 | ||
| Collapse in street | 1 | ||
| Constipation | 1 | Premature labour and Ante partum haemorrhage | 2 |
| Corysa and faucitis | 1 | ||
| Diarrhoea and vomiting | 1 | Premature labour (including 2 confined before admission) | 9 |
| Pelvic disproportion | 2 | ||
| Early rupture of membranes | 1 | ||
| Eclampsia | 2 | Premature twins | 2 |
| Elderly primipara and uterine inertia | 1 | Pyelitis | 4 |
| Pyrexia and high blood pressure | 3 | ||
| Failed forceps delivery at own home | 1 | ||
| Pubic folliculitis | 1 | ||
| Fundal pain | 1 | Retained placenta after abortion | 1 |
| Furunculosis and aural discharge | 1 | ||
| Retained placenta (all confined before admission) | 7 | ||
| Hand presentation | 1 | ||
| Haemolytic streptococcal infection of throat | 1 | Scabies | 2 |
| Severe anaemia | 2 | ||
| History of Colostomy | 1 | Skin infection | 1 |
| History of Mastoiditis | 1 | Staphylococcal infection of cervix, vagina or urethra | 3 |
| Hydramnios | 2 | ||
| Impacted breech | 2 | Stye | 1 |
| Incomplete abortion | 5 | Threatened abortion | 8 |
| Inertia | 2 | Threatened phlebitis and excessive oedema of legs | l |
| Inevitable Abortion | 1 | ||
| Influenza and postmaturity | 2 | Toxaemia | 4 |
| Intra uterine death of foetus | 1 | Transverse Lie | 1 |
| Investigation and treatment of jaundice | 1 | Urinary infection | 1 |
| Vaginal discharge | 2 | ||
| Malpresentation | 1 |