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
West Ham 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Number of Live Births in Maternity Units in the Borough.
| Hospital | West Ham Residents | Total Live Births |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Gate | 757 | 1,303 |
| Plaistow Maternity | 798 | 998 |
| Queen Mary's | 381 | 760 |
| TOTALS: | 1,936 | 3,06l |
Midwives attending at Domiciliary Confinements.
| Source | Number (or equivalent number) of midwives on 31.12.52. | Number of Live Births |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal | 4 | 108 |
| Plaistow Maternity Hospital Essex County Nurses' | 8 x | 390 |
| Training Home | 2 x | 42 |
| Silvertown & N.W.D.N.A. | 2 (part-time) | 18 |
| TOTALS: | 16 | 558 |
x These midwives had the assistance of pupils.
In two of the 558 live births in their own homes the midwife acted as maternity nurse.
Medical Aid was summoned in 210 cases. In 163 of these help was required for the
mother only, in 40 help was required for the baby only, and in the remaining 7 cases help
was summoned on account of both mother and baby.
SECTION 24: HEALTH VISITING.
The establishment for Health Visitors engaged on Maternity and Child Welfare work
is 22. This is in addition to the Superintendent Nursing Officer, her Deputy and an
establishment of 18 School Nurses.
The present Health Visiting/School Nursing staff is as follows:-
(a) Superintendent Nursing Officer and Deputy Superintendent Nursing Officer.
(b) 7 Health Visitors employed solely on Health Visiting duties.
(c) 18 do. do. Joint Health Visiting/School Nursing duties.
(d) 11 School Nurses employed solely on School Nursing duties.
(e) 1 Health Visitor employed by the South West Ham Health Society.
(f) 4 Health Visitors employed on Tuberculosis Visiting.
All eligible School Nurses who were previously employed on School Nursing duties only
were given the opportunity to take the Health Visitor's Course of Training.
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