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Midwifery Training
During the year eleven pupil midwives from St. Teresa's Hospital
and four from Epsom Hospital each spent three months in district
training with the Authority.
Post-Graduate Courses
One midwife attended a post-graduate course in accordance with
the Rules of the Central Midwives' Board, and one midwife attended
a week-end seminar in Psychoprophylaxis.
Domiciliary Visits
The following visits were carried out by midwives to their
patients, other than attendance at the actual confinement:—
Visits during the ante-natal period 2,992
Post-natal visits to home confinements 5,480
Post-natal visits to 48-hour and other early
discharges from hospital 2,383
Total 10,855
Health Education of Expectant Parents
It has been felt for some time that couples becoming parents for
the first time would benefit considerably if the prospective father
could attend talks together with his wife.
A trial scheme was run, which consisted of four evening lectures
followed by discussion. The talks are given by Health Visitors and
Midwives. Interest was keen and it is hoped to extend this scheme
so that all the Borough's expectant parents can attend these classes
in the future if they so wish.
Attendances at Clinics
Three hundred and eighteen ante-natal clinic sessions were held
by midwives during the year, and 431 women attended these clinics
for the first time. The total number of attendances at midwives' antenatal
clinics was 2,543.
Transfers to Hospital
The undermentioned patients booked for domiciliary confinement
were transferred to hospital:—
(a) During pregnancy 59
(b) During labour 11
Co-operation with General Practitioners
In 1967 a start was made on the scheme for ante-natal clinics
held jointly by general practitioners and domiciliary midwives. A
group practice of three general practitioners was chosen and an antenatal
clinic is held once a week at the doctor's surgery with a domiciliary
midwife and a pupil midwife in attendance. It is hoped to extend
the scheme next year to another group practice.
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