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31
Personal Health Services
Sessions
Number of dental officer sessions devoted to maternity and child
welfare patients (for treatment) 358
Total Number of Dental Officer Sessions 3,200
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
1967 has been another busy year for the domiciliary midwives, and in fact there were 1,036 domiciliary
confinements. In addition, there were three macerated stillbirths of unknown origin found
within the borough. Happenings of this sort emphasise the need for adequate ante-natal care for all
expectant mothers at as early a stage as possible.
During the year 1,244 expectant mothers were booked for domiciliary confinement, and full antenatal
care, including blood tests and mothercraft training, was given. However, some of these mothers
were transferred to other areas before the expected date of delivery, 187 were taken into hospital before
or during labour, and 153 of these were discharged early and nursed at home. In addition, 96 patients
booked for hospital delivery had an arranged early discharge.
The emergency obstetric squad was called out on nine occasions, and on two occasions the mother
and infant had to be taken into hospital, while the remaining seven were dealt with at home.
Very satisfactory working arrangements exist with the local general practitioners, and their
support is greatly appreciated.
The establishment consists of a Non-Medical Supervisor of Midwives and her Deputy, together
with 22 full-time Midwives. All the midwives have, where necessary, undergone the prescribed refresher
course according to the Central Midwives' Board rules, including the procedure of episiotomy and the
use of infiltration anaesthetics. Entonox analgesic is in general use although Trilene is used in some
cases.
In all 24 Pupil Midwives were accepted for their three months' district training, and all were successful
in their midwifery examination. In addition, 47 Obstetric Nurse Students were received for practical
training in midwifery.
HEALTH VISITING
The present establishment of health visitors and clinic nurses, which includes the Superintendent
and her Deputy, is 57.
In post at the end of the year:
Superintendent 1
Deputy Superintendent
Full-time health visitors
Part-time health visitors
Tuberculosis visitor
Full-time clinic nurse for Mobile Clinic 1
Part-time clinic nurses 15
Health assistants (a miscellaneous grade whose duties are specifically
allocated to schools and clinics) 4
The Role of the Health Visitor
The duties mainly fall into three sections: in the home, in the clinic and in the school.
(a) Home visiting is undertaken to:
Expectant mothers, to advise regarding the services available under the National Health Service
Act, to offer health education, which is also carried out at clinic premises, and to make arrangements for
other children during the confinement.
Children from 10 days old until five years of age. Visiting at intervals if the family needs and welcomes
it, and at any time if requested to do so.
School children who may be ascertained as handicapped or have particular need of the school
health service.