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Refresher Courses for Midwives.
Of the four municipal midwives one attended a refresher course arranged by the
College of Midwives in October, 1948, and one in April-May, 1952. It is hoped to send
the third in April, 1953, and the fourth during 1954. The arrangements for refresher
courses for agency midwives are left to the discretion of the agency.
Arrangements for the training of Pupil Midwives.
The training of Part II pupil midwives who work in West Ham is undertaken by Plaistow
Maternity Hospital and the Lady Rayleigh Training Home Part II Training Schools. The latter
also has an arrangement by which part of the training Is taken at Forest Gate Hospital.
Until recently the local authority played no part in the training of pupil midwives; but
arrangements have now been made for the pupils from the Plaistow Part II Training School
to attend local authority child welfare centres and tjhe pupils also come to the Health
Department with their Tutor for one session during their six months training. During this
session short talks are given to them by the Medical Supervisor of Midwives, the Superintendent
Nursing Officer, the Clerk-in-Charge, Maternity and Child Welfare, and the Home
Help Organiser.
With four separate organisations providing domiciliary midwifery services within the
Borough (and three separate maternity units) there are many opportunities for overlapping,
misunderstanding and anomalous situations. While commonsense and goodwill have ensured that
the maternity services have worked well a number of adjustments could be made which would
result in smoother and even more efficient working. With this end In view a series of
meetings have been held between the officers of the West Ham County Borough Council and the
West Ham Group Hospital Management Committee together with the obstetricians of the Group.
A large measure of agreement had been reached by the end of the year and joint proposals were
in contemplation for submission to the consideration of the Local Authority and the Hospital
Management Committee.
Maternity Services.
Total live births notified as West Ham births during the year 1952 was 2,764.
Delivered in their own homes within the Borough 558
Delivered in Maternity Units within the Borough 1,936
Delivered outside the Borough 270
2,764
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