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amongst either patients or staff. Even after cessation of war,
West Ham mothers continued to take advantage of the evacuation
scheme, and in a more limited way, mothers from this
area are still sent to emergency homes at about the 38th week
of pregnancy.
The problem of inadequate midwifery staff was persistent
and acute, but with the closure of two emergency homes staffed
by midwives from Plaistow Maternity Hospital the position in
respect of domiciliary midwifery has become easier. The
Council's four domiciliary midwives continued their work; one,
however, resigned at the end of 1945, but has been replaced.
Maternity Hospitals
Normally there are approximately 183 maternity beds
available in West Ham. These serve mothers from West Ham
and certain neighbouring areas. At the end of 1945, 170 of
these beds were in use. The total number of women admitted
to these beds during 1945 was 3,506, of whom 1,899 were West
Ham residents. There were 3/207 confinements Tn hospital.
The number of mothers admitted for ante-natal treatment
during 1945 was 551; although the health of the expectant
mothers has been remarkably good in spite of nervous strain,
domestic difficulties, etc., there was noticed at the clinics an
increase in cases of toxaemia of pregnancy of varying degrees.
The majority of mothers availed themselves of the additional
milk and other rationed food allocated to them as a priority
class. Much propaganda was, and still is, required in respect
of the equal need of expectant mothers to take the vitamin
supplements.
Emergency Maternity Homes
During 1945, 106 West Ham mothers were evacuated under
the Government Scheme, and these arrangements were continued
after the war-time evacuation scheme ended on August 30th,
1945, when the Council agreed to accept financial responsibility
for West Ham cases evacuated henceforth.
Domiciliary Midwifery
Pre-war there were 24 domiciliary midwives working in
West Ham. At the end of 1945, this number had fallen to 16.
In addition, however, the senior pupil midwives from Plaistow
Maternity Hospital conducted a number of home confinements
under the supervision of a qualified midwife. Six midwives
were in private practice, having attended only 34 confinements
during the year.
Total domiciliary confinements during 1945 were 976, of
which 928 were delivered by midwives only, the remaining 48
being maternity cases with a doctor in attendance.
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