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10
Midwives Acts.
On account of the increased size and importance of the Borough consequent upon
amalgamation, an order was received from the Minister of Health at the end of September, whereby
the Corporation became the Local Supervising Authority under the Midwives Acts in place of
the Middlesex County Council. This order became operative on October 1st, 1937. The
responsibility thus placed upon the Corporation constitutes the most important and extensive
addition which has been made to the public health services of the town for many years past.'
Not only did the Corporation become responsible for exercising supervision over all midwives
practising in the area which duty was formerly carried out by the Middlesex County Council, but at
the same time the duty of establishing and maintaining a service of Municipal Midwives, which
was imposed upon local supervising authorities by the Midwives Act, 1936, devolved upon the
Corporation.
The proposals for the establishment of this service which were submitted to the Minister
of Health and subsequently approved, included the appointment of 7 whole-time midwives,
the arrangements in connection with applications for their services, their duties, control and
supervision, salary and superannuation, uniform, residence and other conditions of employment
together with the fees chargeable for their services and the contributions payable by those
obtaining their services.
Arrangements for giving effect to these proposals were being completed at the end of the
period covered by this report.
While these important additions were being made, the established branches of the
Maternity and Child Welfare service were being carried out with increased activity.
Care of Expectant Mothers.
On account of the increasing numbers of expectant mothers attending the Ante-natal
clinics, it was found necessary to increase the number of sessions devoted to this important work
by holding a weekly session at the York House Centre in place of one each fortnight, by establishing
a weekly session at the Whitton Centre in Hospital Bridge Road, and by holding a weekly session
at Teddington.
The sessions of the Ante-natal Clinic at Teddington had hitherto been held under somewhat
unsatisfactory surroundings at the Adult School hall. This clinic was transferred to Elmfield
house, Teddington, which is now occupied by the offices of the Health Department of the
Corporation, two rooms on the ground floor being adapted for the purposes of an Ante-natal
clinic. The improvement thus effected has been very marked and the conditions are now
satisfactory in every way.
The increase in the attendances of expectant mothers at the Ante-natal clinics is most
striking, as will be seen from the following figures:—
Year. Attendances for first time. Total attendances,
1936 355 821
1937 607 1987
The increase, to a considerable extent, was due to the arrangement which has now been
brought into effect, whereby the ante-natal supervision of women, who are to be admitted to the
West Middlesex hospital for their confinement, is now carried out largely at the Ante-natal Clinics
in the Borough and not at that hospital as was formerly the case.
At the Ante-natal Clinics, medical or surgical treatment was found to be necessary for
86 expectant mothers and was obtained by 61 of these during the year.
The arrangements for providing dental treatment for expectant and nursing mothers which
existed in the area of the former Borough were extended to the added districts, in which prior
to amalgamation, no provision had been made for this service.
Milk was supplied either free or at less than cost price to 37 expectant mothers.
On account of the adequate facilities which now exist at the West Middlesex Hospital,
expectant mothers for whom special observation or treatment is required are referred to that
hospital.
Birth Control.
Arrangements have been made for women for whom pregnancy is inadvisable for medical
reasons to obtain the necessary advice, etc., at one of the Birth Control Clinics in London.
Care of mothers during confinement.
The Corporation have not established a Maternity Home, and in view of the proximity
of the West Middlesex Hospital, no formal agreement has been made with any hospital for the
reception of complicated or difficult cases. No request has been received during the year for
the services of a consultant in cases of difficult labour.