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 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Maternity Services.
Total live births notified as West Ham births during the year 1954 was 2,691,
and of these 19% were born at home and 8l% born in hospital.
Domiciliary births within the Borough 519
Domiciliary births outside the Borough 2
19%
Hospital births within the Borough 1,971
Hospital births outside the Borough 199
81%
5,691
Number of Live Births in Maternity Units in the Borough.
| Hospital | West Ham Residents | Total Live Births |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Gate | 761 | 1,411 |
| Plalstow Maternity | 825 | 1,038 |
| Queer, Mary's | 334 | 752 |
| TOTAL | 1,970 | 3,201 |
In addition to the above 1 live birth occurred in St.Mary's Hospital for Women and
Children.
Midwives attending at Domiciliary Confinements
Source
Number (or equivalent number)
of midwives on 31.12.54.
Number of
Live Births
Municipal
4
131
Plalstow Maternity Hospital
Essex County Nurses'
5x
534
Training Home
2x
44
Silvertown & N.W.D.N.A.
2 (part-time)
9
T0TA1:
13
518
x These midwives had the assistance of pupils.
In of the 519 live births in their own homes the midwife acted as maternity nurse.
One ease was attended by the family doctor only, no midwife being present at this birth.
Medical Aid was summoned in 177 cases. In 125 of these help was required for the
mother only, in 46 help was required for the baby only, and In the remaining 6 cases help
was summoned on account of both mother and baby.
119