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the Rules of the Central Midwives Board were being well
complied with. One midwife and one maternity nurse, residing
outside the Borough, failed to notify their liability to be a
source of infection in accordance with Rule 9. The Inspectors
of Midwives of the areas concerned were immediately notified
and the matter promptly dealt with. In October, 1937, a
complaint was received as to the conduct of a midwife acting
as a maternity nurse. The circumstances of the case were carefully
investigated and the matter was subsequently reported
to the Central Midwives Board under Section 8 (2) of the
Midwives Act, 1902. The case is being heard by the Board
early in 1938.
The attention of the proprietors of the maternity homes
in Wimbledon was again called to the need of midwives acting
as maternity nurses in these institutions complying with the
Rules of the Central Midwives Board to which they are
liable. An abstract of these Rules was sent to each maternity
home with the request that they should be exhibited in the staff
room. Maternity nurses were also reminded of their obligation
to notify their changes of address as this is a requirement which
they frequently overlook.
Midwives are invited to attend with their patients at
the Ante-natal Clinic, and provision is made for their compensation
if patients referred by them are found to require
hospital treatment. The compensation paid is at the rate of
ten shillings per case.
No uncertified women living in Wimbledon were known
to be attending confinements under the direction and supervision
of registered medical practitioners.
During October, the Surrey County Council, as the
Local Supervising Authority for Surrey, arranged a course
of lectures and demonstrations for the midwives in their
area as in previous years. Through the courtesy of the
County Medical Officer for Surrey the midwives in Wimbledon
were invited to attend, and invitations were sent out to
them from the Town Hall. A number availed themselves of
the opportunity of attending this Course.
The local branch of the Midwives' Institute, of which
the Chairman of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
of the Wimbledon Borough Council is President, continued to
meet every month in the room placed at their disposal at the
Town Hall.
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