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SECTION 23 - DOMICILIARY MIDWIFERY
This service is provided by the Counoil Midwives for the whole of West Ham with
exception of a few cases undertaken by the Lady Rayleigh Training Home on the northern
fringe.
On December 31st there were 5 domiciliary midwives on the staff, (the establishment
being 6) because one of the midwives resigned in the Spring for domestic reasons.
Despite frequent advertisements it was only possible to obtain the services of a temporary
midwife, for the holiday months.
Supervision of Midwives. The Senior Medical Officer for Maternal and Child Health
has continued to act as Medical Supervisor while the Non-medical Supervisor, who is also the
Supervisor of Home Nurses, has continued her day to day duties in accordance with the
statutory requirements. These offioers have an overall responsibility for all the midwives
in the Borough, including those working in hospital.
Maternity Outfits have been supplied to all expectant mothers prior to their
domioiliary confinements.
Administration of Analgesia by Midwives. All midwives now have the Trilene apparatus
and have used it at many confinements. Because it is easy to carry it is more readily
available than the Gas and Air machines, but there is still a place for Gas and Air Analgesia.
Refresher Courses. Under the rules of the Central Midwives Board, midwives are
required to attend a refresher course every 5 years. No West Ham midwife was eligible this
year, except the Supervisor who attended a course organised by the Association of Supervisors
of Midwives.
Relaxation Classes. During this year there have been various difficulties in
maintaining classes for groups of mothers, but several midwives have given their patients
individual instruction in relaxation and preparation for labour. In this educational work
they have continued to use the visual aids provided.
Training of Pupil Midwives. There have been considerable changes during the year.
The Part II training school was transferred from Plaistow Maternity Hospital to
Forest Gate Hospital, but the West Ham domiciliary midwives continued to accept pupils
for practical training. There was also a change in the local arrangements. Instead of
spending 6 months on the district, the Part II pupils now spend 3 months in hospital and
3 months on the district. During their district training the pupils working in the south
of the Borough live in a hostel In Plaistow Maternity Hospital, while those working in the
north, live In Forest Gate Hospital. The fact that each pupil now spends only 3 months on
the district with the teaching midwife makes greater demands on the midwife. It results
in less practioal help from the pupil, and involves more concentrated teaching and closer
supervision.
Miss Goodall, Educational Supervisor of the Central Midwives Board, made a two
day inspection of the training facilities for pupil midwives working in West Ham.
Although no formal report was made, Miss Goodall indicated that she was very satisfied
with the standard achieved.
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