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
Richmond upon Thames 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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Notification of intention to practise
Under the rules of the Central Midwives Board, 37 midwives notified their
intention to practise within the Borough. Twenty-one of these were domiciliary midwives;
the remainder of the midwives were practising in hospital.
Medical aid was required for 83 patients as follows:—
| During Pregnancy | Infant | In Labour | Puerperium | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild Toxaemia | 2 | Prematurity | 2 | Foetal Distress | 7 | Pyrexia | 13 |
| Ante-partum haemorrhage | 5 | Ophthalmia | 5 | Premature Labour | 6 | Thrombophlebitis | 2 |
| General illness | 4 | ||||||
| Hydramnios | 1 | Malformation | 3 | Milpresentation | 4 | Toxaemia | 1 |
| Post-Maturity | 1 | Cord infection | 1 | Delay in Labour | 6 | ||
| Malpresentation | 1 | Skin lesions | 1 | Retained placenta | 3 | ||
| Ruptured perineum | 7 | ||||||
| Post-partum haemorrhage | 4 | ||||||
| Twin pregnancy | 1 | ||||||
| Maternal distress | 2 | ||||||
| Emergency booking | 1 |
The domiciliary midwives nursed 573 mothers and babies discharged from hospital
early in the puerperium. The majority of these mothers had planned discharges. This
represents an increase of over 200 early discharges (1965—360). Three thousand and
sixty-six visits were made to these mothers.
Maternity Outfits
A maternity outfit is supplied free to each expectant mother arranging her confinement
at home under the National Health Service, as well as — if requested — to
those entering private nursing homes.
A smaller pack is supplied to patients discharged from hospital 48 hours after
delivery.
Maternity Liaison Committee
As Medical Officer of Health I am a member of the Maternity Services Liaison
Committee Catchment Area IV, whose purpose is to discuss midwifery problems of
hospital, family doctors, and the local authority health department.
HOME NURSING SERVICE
Training
4 District Nurses received district training.
2 District Nurses attended Refresher Courses.
3 District Nurses attended a Study Day arranged by the London Boroughs Training
Committee.
67 Hospital Student Nurses spent a day visiting patients in their homes observing
the work of the District Nurses.
Cases and Visits
Total number of cases nursed 2,752
Number of above over 65 years of age 1,179
Number of above under 5 years of age 24
Total number of visits 108,080
27