London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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West Ham 1950

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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NURSERIES AND CHILD MINDERS1 REGULATION ACT, 1948. The Nursery at Cumberland Road,
which is under the auspices of the Canning Town Women,s Settlement, and is registered under
the above Act, has continued to function throughout the year. There are 15 children on the
Register, Visits were paid by members of the Health Department staff at weekly intervals
throughout the year.
SECTION 23: MIDWIFERY.
MATERNITY SERVICES. Total births registered as West Ham births during the year was
2,882.
Delivered in their own homes within the Borough 8ll
Delivered in maternity units within the Borough 1,860
Delivered outside the-Borough 211
TOTAL: 2,882

NUMBER OF CONFINEMENTS IN MATERNITY UNITS IN THE BOROUGH.

HospitalWest Ham ResidentsTotal Births
Forest Gate6321,028
Plaistow Maternity8051,057
Queen Mary*s423892
TOTALS:1,8602,977

The number of confinements in Forest Gate Hospital was considerably smaller than in
previous years. This hospital suffered a run of misfortune during the earlier part of the
year by way of loss both of medical and nursing staff. The effect of the former has been
noted in relation to the ante-natal clinics; the latter compelled the restriction of admissions
for a time and the monthly allocation of bookings to the West Ham municipal clinics
was temporarily reduced from 70 to 50. Following an introduction by the hospital authorities,
however, an arrangement was reached with Mile End Hospital to meet the deficiency and
up to 20 bookings a month were available at that hospital from March3 1950 to the end of
the year. These bookings were allotted principally to West Ham Lane Clinic which serves
that part of the borough which is most'easily accessible tc this hospital.

MIDWIVES ATTENDING DOMICILIARY CONFINEMENTS.

SourceNumber (or equivalent number) of midwives on 31.12.50.Number of Cases
Municipal4151
Plaistow Maternity Hospital7X560
Essex County Nurses Training Home2X84
Silvertown & N.WaD„N.Ar.2 (part-time)16
TOTALS:15811

x These midwives had the assistance of pupils.
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