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SECTION 25: DOMICILIARY MIDWIFERY
General Arrangements
There has been little change in the general arrangements of this service. One
midwife resigned and was replaced by another, so that at the end of the year there remained
six midwives.
Supervision of Midwives
This was exercised by the Senior Assistant Medical Officer as medical supervisor of
midwives, assisted by the senior midwife until the appointment of the new Non-Medical
Supervisor of Midwives and Home Nurses at the beginning of June, who then took over from
the senior midwife.
Car Allowances
During the year the Council decided to make car allowances available for midwives, each
application to be considered on its merits. Three midwives and the Non-Medical Supervisor of
Midwives took advantage of this decision and were granted allowances; 3 also took advantage
of the Council's assisted car purchase facilities.
Administration of Analgesia by Midwives
It has now become possible for each midwife to be provided with a Trilene apparatus
for the relief of pain during labour. These machines are much smaller than the gas and air
apparatus and can be conveyed easily to the house by the midwife. It is not as suitable in
some cases as the gas and air machine, which the Ambulance Service has continued to transport
for the midwives whenever required.
Refresher Courses for Midwives
No midwives were required to attend Refresher Courses in compliance with the Central
Midwives Board rules during this year. Two midwives attended a course on "Relaxation and
Parentcraft" which they found very interesting and helpful.
Relaxation Classes
These were re-started at four clinics in West Ham during the autumn, as a combined
effort between the health visitors and the midwives. Those patients who decided to attend
came regularly and seemed to derive much benefit, particularly from the knowledge gained
which gave them a better understanding of the physiology of pregnancy and labour.
Training of Pupil Midwives
This continued as before: the pupils lived at Plaistow Maternity Hospital while
they were given their six months domiciliary training with the local authority midwives. All
the pupils were successful in their examinations.
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