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
Walthamstow 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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93
12. MIDWIVES ACTS, 1902-1926.
Your Council took over the supervision of Midwives from the
Essex County Council with effect from 1st April, 1931, under the
Borough of Walthamstow (Supervision of Midwives) Order, 1931.
The administration of the Order was left to the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee which decided to adhere to the County
Council's scale of income for assessment or recovery of fees where
medical aid is summoned by Midwives in emergency.
The scale is as follows:—
| Parents' Weekly Income after deducting 5s. in respect of each parent and each dependent member of the household. | Fee to be recovered. |
| Not exceeding £1 weekly | Nil. |
| Exceeding £1 and not exceeding £2.. | 10s. 6d., or actual fee if less than this amount. |
| Exceeding £2, and not exceeding £3 | £1 1s., or actual fee if less than this amount. |
| Exceeding £3 weekly | Actual fee. |
It was agreed that no recovery should be made in cases of
Ophthalmia Neonatorum and, during the current year, it has been
decided that no recovery of fees is to be made in respect of Pemphigus
Neonatorum.
An arrangement was made during the year with the Walthamstow
District Nursing Association in order to provide a qualified
midwife in cases of emergency, e.g., to replace any midwife who
might be suspended from duty. The Association agreed to provide
these services on condition that a grant of five guineas be paid for
the provision of an emergency midwife, plus a fee of one guinea per
confinement or 2s. 6d. per visit.
Dr. Sheppard has acted as Inspector of Midwives and has
carried out the routine quarterly inspections, the results of which
have been generally satisfactory. Additional inspections in respect
of emergencies such as Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Puerperal Fever and
Pyrexia, Maternal Mortality, have been made by your Medical
Officer of Health.
There were 17 midwives in active practice on the 1st April, and
three others gave notice of intention to practice during the year,
making a total of 20. All held the Certificate of the Central Midwives
Board.